Soccer Aid 2026: Date, location, tickets plus the footballer and celebrity line-up

Amy Hamerslagh, Apprentice Sports Writer

Published: 8:12, 3 Mar 2026

Wayne Rooney poses in the Soccer Aid England kit he will wear in the 2026 match

Soccer Aid is back as the world of football and celebrity collide for the world's biggest charity match.

Robbie Williams created the event in 2006 and since 2018, it has been held annually, raising millions each year in support of children all around the world.

This will be McGuinness' tenth year as a Soccer Aid player and he will now have the most Soccer Aid appearances

In the 20 year history of the charity, they have raised more than £121million for UNICEF.

The 2025 edition at Old Trafford saw the World XI team secure a 5-4 win and they will be facing England again this year with a another star-studded cast.

Premier League legends will return to help raise money, including Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Joe Hart.

Ex-Lionesses Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton will be there again, having made their debut last year.

For the World XI team, new faces have been included, with the recently retired Barcelona legend Jordi Alba, former Scotland and Arsenal Women's defender Jen Beattie and Ali Krieger, who played 108 times for the United States Women's team, winning two World Cups, in the side.

Making their debuts from the world of Hollywood are 16-year-old Golden Globe winner Owen Cooper, who starred in Adolescence, and Formula 1 movie actor Damson Idris.

Additionally, popular podcaster GK Barry will make her first appearance on the pitch, followed by former England rugby player, Joe Marler.

Tickets are available from £20 for adults and £10 for juniors at socceraid.org.uk/tickets.

There will be a special 20th anniversary half-time performance, with the act yet to be announced.

Dermot Kennedy, Rita Ora and Robbie Williams, who will manage England this year, have previously performed at the event.

How to follow it

Fans can watch all of the action live and for free on ITV1 and online via ITVX.

It will also be live on talkSPORT for the fourth consecutive season. Ahead of the match, there will be two Drive shows, hosted by Andy Goldstein and Darren Bent, broadcast live from the Soccer Aid training camp on Thursday 28 and Friday 29 May between 4pm and 7pm.

You can download and watch via the app, or on your smart TV and the talkSPORT YouTube channel where stars like Leonardo Bonucci, Jordi Alba and Rooney will chat to the nation alongside names from the entertainment world.

Angry Ginge will return to Soccer Aid, which will please Rooney, who told talkSPORT he is looking forward to teaming up with himCredit: AFP

Soccer Aid 2026: Line-ups

Along with Rooney, Bonucci and Defoe, actor Tom Hiddleston, singer Olly Murs and YouTuber Angry Ginge will be there.

Usain Bolt will manage the World XI at the same place where he won gold at the 2012 Olympics. Big Zuu, who won the 2025 match, will be playing under Bolt as will Beattie and Krieger.

More names will be confirmed in due course.

And, given it is 20 years since the first edition, a special 20th anniversary extended half-time entertainment show is expected to be announced.

I’ve not won yet, so hopefully I can put that right this year,” Rooney told talkSPORT, explaining he is relishing playing against Alba and is looking forward to teaming up with Angry Ginge.

“You want to win. And I think the other celebrities outside of football bring that competitiveness to it because they want to win. It’s a massive occasion for them.

“And it’d be like me going and singing on stage in front of however many thousand people you want to do well.

“For all of them, they want to win. So that brings that edge to it. The matchday, everyone’s a little bit anxious. And you’re nervous for it.

“But then the build-up to that, it’s great fun. Everyone’s together and sharing different stories and having a good time.”

Serial winner Bolt is targeting more gold in London. “I’ve seen the team sheet and am thrilled to have football greats like Jordi Alba and Leonardo Bonucci along with exciting talent from music, TV and film.

"We're going for gold at the London Stadium and want to break records, raising as much money as possible to help UNICEF support children around the world. Everyone knows my record at the London Stadium. See you there, Robbie!”

Soccer Aid 2026: Date, location, tickets plus the footballer and celebrity line-up | talkSPORT