A whole host of famous faces are gearing up to take to the pitch on Sunday for the annual Soccer Aid match, and will go head-to-head all in a bid to raise money for UNICEF. Ahead of the big day, which will all take place at the London Stadium, over the weekend.
The team – made up of regulars like Paddy McGuinness, Jill Scott, Adolescence actor Owen Cooper and Loose Women star GK Barry – were given an extra boost as Prime Minister Keir Starmer called into a training match before everything kicked off ahead of what will be a major milestone for the event.
Having been presented with his own shirt, player number 10, he wrote on Instagram: “Marking 20 years of Soccer Aid!” When asked if he fancied joining in with Soccer Aid, the Labour leader told TalkSport: “If I walk into Prime Minister’s Questions on crutches, I think there’d be a lot of explaining to do!”
Soccer Aid was co-founded by pop star Robbie Williams and TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes. The event aims to raise money for children to grow up safe and healthy. It will be airing on ITV1, ITVX, STV and the STV Player on Sunday, May 31 from 5pm and is scheduled to go on until 9pm.
Other names announced to be taking part are Maisie Adam, Jen Beattie, Dimitar Berbatov, Alex Brooker, Chloe Burrows, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Frankie Dettori, Toni Dugan, Michael Essien, Richard Gadd, Tom Grennan, Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Damson Idris, Nemanja Matić, , Simon Neil, Jordan North, Chris O’Dowd, Nabhaan Rizwan, Edwin van Der Sar, and Theo Walcott.
Soccer Aid 2026 will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player on Sunday, May 31 at 5pm and kick-off is from 6.30pm BST
Sam Thompson got the PM’s approval and the former I’m A Celebrity… winner looked thrilled to be meeting him on the pitch
(Image:Ryan Jenkinson/UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures/Shutterstock)
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A shirt for Starmer
The PM was even presented with his own shirt
(Image:Daniel Hambury/UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures/Shutterstock)
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All smiles
Keir was all smiles as he posed with Edwin van der Sar, Richard Gadd, Sam Thompson and England Co-Manager David Seaman
(Image:Ryan Jenkinson/UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures/Shutterstock)
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Starmer’s squad
Proudly posing with Gladiators star Nitro, Sam Thompson, Tom Hiddleston, England co-manager David Seaman and Baby Reindeer actor Richard Gadd, the PM clutches onto the ball
(Image:Daniel Hambury/UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures/Shutterstock)
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The PM is on the ball
Starmer looks deep in concentration with the ball at his feet
(Image:Ryan Jenkinson/UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures/Shutterstock)
