Soccer Aid 2023: When is it, who is playing and how can you watch it?
Celebrities and football legends will again be competing for a good cause when Soccer Aid returns in 2023.
The latest celebrity confimed to join the lineup is actor Danny Dyer, who will be making his Soccer Aid debut.
Dyer said: “It’s amazing to be able to be part of something that helps.
“I do think that fame and celebrity is taken for granted a lot, and I think there’s not enough famous people doing enough to put something back.”
“If you can add your face to something to raise awareness and to raise a few quid, it can only be a beautiful thing.” he added.
What is Soccer Aid?
The charity exhibition match, which has been held since 2006, raises money and publicity for the international children’s charity Unicef.
A team of England legends and celebrities will take on a Rest of the World eleven.
The Rest of the World won last year’s match 4-1 on penalties after it finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.
The event was co-founded by Robbie Williams and his friend and television presenter Jonathan Wilkes, with both often donning their football boots to take part. In 2022, Williams instead sang his hit Angels at half-time of the match at West Ham’s London Stadium.
Soccer Aid has raised more than £75 million for Unicef since it started. It has become an annual event, having once been held every other year.
When is Soccer Aid 2023 and where will it be played?
Soccer Aid 2023 will be played on Saturday, June 11, at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.
It will be the eighth time the stadium has hosted the match.
How can I watch Soccer Aid 2023?
Tickets are on sale now. Starting prices are £20 for adults and £10 for children. Visit: www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets/ for more information.
The game will be broadcast live on ITV 1. Alex Scott and Dermot O’Leary will be the hosts.
Who is playing in Soccer Aid 2023?
Stormzy has been confirmed as England manager, in an announcement made on Good Morning Britain on Thursday (May 11).
In a clip revealing himself as manager, the 29-year-old rapper said: “I’m not even a musician that day. I’ll take ‘gaffer’, ‘boss’, err what else do they call the gaffer?
“This is an opportunity to show the world my football mind.”
Jill Scott, heroine of the England Lioness team that won the Euro 2022 competition, will captain the home side. She enjoyed further success when she won the ITV reality show I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in December.
"The Euros, the jungle and now Soccer Aid for Unicef — it’s the holy trinity,” she said. “I’ve won two of them, so I just need Soccer Aid now to complete the treble.”
Scott will be the first female captain of the England side.
She will be joined in the team by former England players Karen Carney, Jack Wilshere, Gary Cahill, Jermain Defoe, David James, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Eni Aluko.
Long-distance running legend Sir Mo Farah has also been confirmed to play for England, as have singer Tom Grennan and DJ Joel Corry. Television presenter Alex Brooker, and YouTuber Chunkz will also play for England.
The team will be co-managed by Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes and Line of Duty’s Vicky McClure.
The former Tottenham and Republic of Ireland striker, Robbie Keane, will manage the Rest of the World Side. Usain Bolt will be the captain, as he has been in previous years.
Confirmed players for the Rest of the World so far include comedian Lee Mack, entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den star, Steven Bartlett, and winner of the season three of Love Island, Kem Cetinay.
Will Robbie Williams sing at Soccer Aid 2023?
Football-mad Williams is currently touring with his 2022 album XV. This features orchestral versions of his greatest hits from his 25-year solo career.
He is set to perform in Romania on June 3 and Spain on June 15, which could leave a convenient gap for him to appear at Soccer Aid.
His participation has not been confirmed, however. Yet, as he has been so integral to Soccer Aid, it would be a surprise to fans if he were not to appear in some capacity.