Oh, wow.
Imad.
You OK?
Today, with NIVEA MEN, I'm going to meet a lifelong Red
who has set up something really special in the heart of his community.
We got this letter from his mate Sam.
"Dear Liverpool FC, please help me do something for Imad,
"the man who brings the world together in our city."
- Nice to meet you, mate. - Nice to meet you too.
So tell us about Imad then, what's he like as a person?
He's just full of energy, always on the go,
always got some concept that he's working on,
but one of the nicest, most genuine people you'd ever meet.
So, World In One City, talk to me about that, where did the idea come from?
In lockdown he proposed this idea: "Lads, I want to create a World Cup
"where all the people in this city, in this area, can represent their home nations
"or their heritage nation."
It runs over a month, exactly the same way.
A few months later he'd actually gone out there
and got in touch with all the different communities,
teams that we didn't even know existed.
Lo and behold, two tournaments later, we're absolutely chock-a-block.
It's a festival, you've almost got to see it to believe it.
At a time like today, you've got different political and cultural clashes
going on all across the world, but what we offer is everyone coming together
and celebrating what they're about and where they're from.
Imad will say himself, it takes a lot of us to make it happen,
but it all happens because of Imad,
because Imad was the person who brought the idea.
He's the one who puts that work in with those people and all the players,
and they buy into Imad as well as World In One City.
It's like a dream come true situation for him.
Yeah. I'm excited to meet him.
So where is he now, where we going?
A little cafe that we all go to regularly.
He's there now, he thinks we're having a meeting about World In One City.
He won't put two and two together.
"Why's Trent in Coffee Lodge?"
Ready?
Oh, wow.
Imad.
You OK? Good to see you!
What’s going on here, la?!
Nothing, obviously your mate Sam is here...
Stitched me up, haven’t you!
Sam sent a letter to the club about the World Cup project that you're doing,
so thought it'd be a nice surprise to come down and just talk about it, really.
I wasn't expecting you to walk in!
It's taken off, to be fair.
It's got me to the point where I'm sitting in Coffee Lodge
with Trent Alexander-Arnold... So I must be doing something right!
What's the best thing about it from your point of view?
It's amazing to see the different cultures, the different people together.
I was born here in Liverpool, my family are from Yemen,
so me, being a No. 9, I felt like the No. 9 for Yemen!
Lining up doing the national anthem, seeing my dad in the crowd.
This is on a smaller scale, but it's all we know, it's as real as it gets.
From the organising point of view, I still can't believe that everyone's bought into it.
I was always round here, I never grew up round here but I was always down here,
this is where I used to get my hair cut.
This is where we used to chill, me and my cousins, play footy,
so it's good to see what you're doing round here, man.
Because it's needed.
Lodge Lane has vastly changed, it's on the rise I'd say.
I feel like Lodge Lane is a hub.
There's a good sense of togetherness with this community.
Without the community, the tournament doesn't get to where it gets to,
it doesn't happen.
We put the idea in motion, but the community...
TRENT: Gave it life.
IMAD: Yeah, gave it the injection of life.
So do you mind taking me round and showing me your Liverpool?
Lodgey? Let's go!
Yeah, so, this is my local restaurant.
These are all actually part of the tournament.
He used to cut my hair when I was a kid, you know!
Did he tell you about them warm-up runs the Yemen have been doing?!
People have been sending videos of them running down Princes Avenue,
singing like it's Remember the Titans!
So who's the favourites this year then?
West Indies.
You're Jamaican though...
Are you free?!
I was gonna say, are you free tonight?
This is the Yemen captain, Nabeel.
Skipper, yeah?
This is like a perfect example of me explaining what the tournament's about.
What you've got here is England, Yemen, Nigeria, West Indies,
we're all mates, we're all together.
So we're probably going to make you feel a little bit awkward now,
but I just wanted to ask yous, what's the best thing about Imad?
He's relentless and willing to do anything for anyone,
so without him and his personality and energy,
and his humbleness, to be honest, it wouldn't take place.
He's the only person I know who loves football as much as me.
For our community, over the past few years Lodge Lane has took a bit of a hit with people,
and it's kind of putting everything else in a good light, so I'm made up with that.
If anybody could do it, it'd be Imad.
He's probably the only person I know throughout football
who could make this happen.
And he's done it, smashed it. It'll probably be even better this year.
So, Imad, we have a few more people here just to tell you how proud they are of you.
Oh! Yes, the fam.
Hi, you OK?
- These are the real magicians. - Give you a hug!
I'm dead proud of him. I’m still happy to wash the kits for you and everything, so!
To see the communities getting together,
there was a rumour that it might not be happening this year,
and people were phoning me, and I'm like, "Why are people phoning me?"
"Make sure World In One City happens this year."
- 100%. - Put his mark down.
Reluctantly, it probably took a lot of years to convince them I'm trying to do something,
but they've stuck by me and that's what family's all about.
Our family is dead close, dead tight-knit,
and I'm made up that yous are here, nice one for coming out.
So NIVEA MEN have also got another little surprise for you.
I'll let mum read...
Thank you.
It says: "Dear Imad, when the NIVEA MEN team heard about World In One City,
"we had to get involved. We believe that football is for all,
"and what you have created is a perfect example."
"For this reason, NIVEA MEN would love to sponsor this summer's tournament..."
Ohh!
"..so that everyone can play for free.
Wow.
"From kits to facilities, we'll make sure cost is no barrier
"in hopefully making this year's tournament one of the best yet.
"Imad, you are an inspiration to your community.
"We are stronger together. The NIVEA MEN team."
Yes!
Woo!
Won't be taking my dad's dough now.
He's happier than him!
Put it on!
ALL: World In One City!