Soccer Aid 2026 – 20th anniversary match heads to the London Stadium

Soccer Aid for UNICEF will mark its 20th anniversary with a return to the London Stadium on Sunday May 31, as organisers open sales and begin rolling out a first wave of football and celebrity names for the annual England v Soccer Aid World XI fixture.The charity match has grown into a major annual fundraising platform for UNICEF, with organisers positioning the 2026 edition as a landmark event and promising further announcements in the build-up.Robbie Williams, Soccer Aid’s co-founder, is set to manage England for the anniversary match, with Usain Bolt named as coach of the World XI.Robbie Williams, Soccer Aid’s co-founder, will manage England for the anniversary edition and used the launch to underline the fundraising target after a record year.Robbie said: “I’m incredibly proud to be celebrating 20 years of Soccer Aid for UNICEF. It’s one of the most important things to me. Last year raised more money than ever — and I hope we can break the record again this year.”Usain Bolt, who will coach the World XI, also leaned into the venue’s Olympic history. “Everyone knows my record at the London Stadium,” he teased. “See you in May, Robbie.”Organisers have billed the fixture as a major entertainment and fundraising moment, with the campaign message focused on ‘protecting play’ for children worldwide. Soccer Aid says the event has raised more than £121 million for UNICEF over two decades.The initial squad list includes England names such as Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Jill Scott, alongside celebrity picks including Olly Murs, Sam Thompson and Angry Ginge, with former England rugby international Joe Marler set to appear in goal. The World XI group includes footballers Jordi Alba and Leonardo Bonucci and entertainer-sporting crossover names including Gladiators’ Nitro and Big Zuu, who Soccer Aid says scored the 2025 match-winning goal.Among the celebrity debuts are actors Tom Hiddleston, Owen Cooper and Damson Idris, with organisers indicating further names will be announced in the build-up.