The star-studded match will take place at the Etihad Stadium in September.
Where would you get the likes of Olly Murs, James Arthur and Paddy McGuinness playing alongside footballing legends such as Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes in front of thousands at one of the biggest stadiums in the country? That’s right, it’s Soccer Aid!
The lineup has been announced for the annual charity match that raises money for Unicef, and will once again see an England side take on a team of stars from the rest of the world.
The match will take place on September 4 at Manchester City‘s Etihad Stadium, with Dermot O’ Leary and Alex Scott on presenting duties this year.
Some of the debutants in 2021 include singer Tom Grennan, footballer Fara Williams, and Manchester United legends Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney.
Rooney was manager of the England side in 2020, but will be playing this year, in what will be his first appearance on a football pitch since he retired.
Micah Richards and David Seaman will be part of the England coaching staff, whilst Harry Redknapp will take charge of the Rest of the World side.
Say what!!!!!
I get to Co-present @socceraid this year alongside the one and only @radioleary 👀🙌🏾🙌🏾
This is going to be so much fun… can’t bloody wait.. ekkkkkk 🥰
Sept 4th – tickets on sale now ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/SsjVZhqwnp
— Alex Scott MBE (@AlexScott) June 8, 2021
Some of the regular faces at the charity match will also be returning to the Soccer Aid pitch, with the likes of Olympian Usain Bolt, reality star Mark Wright, TV presenter Ore Oduba, Love Island ’s Kem Cetinay getting a run-out.
Football freestyler and sports presenter Liv Cooke, radio star Roman Kemp and musician Chunkz are also in the squads.
Other ex-footballing stars that have been announced in the lineup so far are Kelly Smith, Roberto Carlos, Patrice Evra, Emile Heskey and Jamie Redknapp.
Meanwhile, Maya Jama will once again be a pundit for this year’s match.
📋 First names on the team sheets 🏴🌍
Get your Soccer Aid for @Unicef_uk 2021 tickets today 👉 https://t.co/9kS5Gd7bya pic.twitter.com/AopRYZA8PV
— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) June 8, 2021
Presenter Alex Scott, who was recently announced as the new face of Football Focus, said: “Soccer Aid 2021 for UNICEF is going to be just brilliant. It’s great to be involved again, and of course co-presenting alongside Dermot is really exciting.
“It’ll be so special to be back in a stadium with fans again, and all for a great cause. Tickets are on sale now – see you in September.”
Rooney added: “Pulling on an England shirt is always special, so I’m absolutely delighted to be doing that again in Soccer Aid for Unicef this September.”
🚨 Our 10th 𝙎𝙊𝘾𝘾𝙀𝙍 𝘼𝙄𝘿 for @unicef_uk 🚨
🗓 Saturday 4 September
⏰ 7:30pm
🏟 @ManCity's Etihad Stadium
📺 @ITV @WeAreSTV— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) June 8, 2021
Since the first Soccer Aid in 2006, the games have raised over £47 million to help children all over the world, with last year’s game at Old Trafford raising £9.3 million.
The game will be broadcast on ITV as usual, and you can buy tickets for the 2021 match at www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets.
