Robbie Williams; Tom Hiddleston; Wayne Rooney; Damson Idris; Owen Cooper; GK Barry; Usain Bolt; Angry Ginge; Jordan North; Joe Marler; Olly Murs; Paddy McGuinness; Big Zuu; Richard Gadd; Maisie Adam and Gladiator Nitro are just some of the stellar names who will be roared on by more than 60,000 Soccer Aid for UNICEF fans at the London Stadium this May.
33 players were announced today – including nine debutants, both hosts and the match commentator – for the world’s biggest celebrity football match. This is the twentieth anniversary of the game, which has raised more than £121 million for UNICEF since the first match in 2006. Tickets are on sale for this summer’s fixture – Adults £20 and Juniors £10 – and include access to a pre-game ‘Fan Zone’.
A special twentieth anniversary extended half-time show will also be announced in due course. Previous performers include Rita Ora; Robbie Williams; Tom Grennan; Dermot Kennedy and Tom Walker. On the 60thanniversary of England’s World Cup triumph, the Three Lions are choosing to channel the spirit of ’66 by wearing the iconic white home kit from the same tournament, when they take on the Soccer Aid World XI.
UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams will manage England. He will be able to call on man-mountain Joe Marler as his celebrity goalkeeper. The Traitors star will share the gloves with Paddy McGuinness who will become the record appearance holder, when he takes to the pitch. The comedian has, so far, appeared nine times. Hollywood superstar and UNICEF UK Ambassador Tom Hiddleston is back – and vowing to pass the ball to a professional, as soon as he is in possession!
Wayne Rooney – one of England’s greatest-ever players – will provide on-pitch leadership and skill, bringing together more debutants in the shape of 16-year-old Owen Cooper, star of Netflix’s Adolescence. Cooper was not even born when the first Soccer Aid took place in 2006!
Star of the F1 film, Damson Idris is the third star actor to sign-up. The Londoner – who dreamed of becoming a professional footballer – is relishing taking to the pitch with footballers he grew-up supporting.
GK Barry is taking tips from her footballer partner Ella Rutherford, who plays for Portsmouth FC, but has admitted her lack of football prowess might mean she ends up embarrassing herself in the name of charity!
There is an I’m a Celeb theme too, with Jordan North also playing for the first time. The Burnley fan will be hoping to form a powerhouse partnership with fellow northerner Angry Ginge – who was the 2025 Player of the Match.
Usain Bolt will, for the first time, manage the Soccer Aid World XI FC. The sprint king is back at the scene of his 2012 London Olympics gold rush. The Jamaican already has incredible attacking talent to choose from in the form of 2025’s match winner, Big Zuu. He will be joined by two of the best players in women’s football in recent years in the shape of Scotland’s Jen Beattie and two-time World Cup winning US international, Ali Krieger.
The World XI are also building a defensively sound team too. In goal will be legendary Dutch ‘keeper Edwin van der Sar, with Euro 2020 winner Leonardo Bonucci alongside debutant Jordi Alba – one of the most gifted and decorated defenders of his generation.
UNICEF UK Ambassador and Soccer Aid co-founder, Robbie Williams, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be celebrating 20 years of Soccer Aid for UNICEF this year, it’s one of the most important things to me. Last year’s event raised more money than ever and £121 million raised since we started – genuinely life-changing. Let’s hope we can break the record again this year. Can’t wait to see you there!”
