World XI team news
Also in action this evening are the World XI, several of which would also have been eligible for England. Fifa really need to clear up these qualification criteria.
World XI squad
Jordi Alba – Former Barcelona and Spain player
Leonardo Bonucci – Former Juventus and Italy player
Lukas Podolski – Former Arsenal and Germany player
Michael Essien – Former Chelsea and Ghana player
Dimitar Berbatov – Former Manchester United and Bulgarian player
Nemanja Matic – Former Manchester United and Serbia player
Ali Krieger – Two-time World Cup winner with United States’ Women
Behzinga – YouTuber and member of the Sidemen
Dermot Kennedy – Singer
Edwin van der Sar – Former Manchester United and Netherlands player
Maisie Adam – Comedian
Jen Beattie – Former Arsenal and Scotland player
Nicky Byrne – Singer (Westlife)
Nitro – Former Team GB sprinter and Gladiators star
Chris O’Dowd – Actor and comedian
Simon Neil – Singer (Biffy Clyro)
Richard Gadd – Actor and comedian
Nikolaj Coster Waldau – Actor
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – Former Commonwealth athlete and Gladiators star
Molly McCann – Former UFC fighter
TBJZL – YouTuber and member of the Sidemen.
Frankie Dettori – Former champion horse racing jockey
Harry Latham-Coyle31 May 2026 17:20
Who is playing in Soccer Aid? The England squad
It’s another merry band of footballers and celebrities representing England this year, all in the name of a good cause:
Wayne Rooney – Former Manchester United and England player
Jermain Defoe – Former Tottenham and England player
Jill Scott – Former Manchester City and England player
Jack Wilshere – Former Arsenal and England player
Shaun Wright-Phillips – Former Manchester City and England player
Tom Hiddleston – Actor
Paddy McGuinness – Comedian and presenter
Owen Cooper – Actor
Danny Dyer – Actor and TV personality
Damson Idris – Actor
Theo Walcott – Former Arsenal and England player
Angry Ginge – YouTuber
Chloe Burrows – Former Love Island star and radio host
Jack Whitehall – Comedian
Jordan North – Radio presenter and podcaster
Sam Thompson – Reality TV star and podcaster
Olly Murs – Singer
Steph Houghton – Former Manchester City, Arsenal and England player
Toni Duggan – Former Manchester City and England player
Joe Marler – Former England rugby player
Joe Hart – Former Manchester City and England goalkeeper
GK Barry – Influencer and podcaster
Alex Brooker – Comedian
Harry Latham-Coyle31 May 2026 17:10
20 years of Soccer Aid
Yes, it’s the 20th anniversary of the launch of this fixture, still popular among celebrities and (seemingly) fans. About £121m has been raised for Unicef over the years – some effort.
Harry Latham-Coyle31 May 2026 17:00
Soccer Aid LIVE
A fixture in the footballing and charitable calendars, Soccer Aid returns with another band of celebrities ready to take to the London Stadium in the name of raising money and not embarrasing themselves in a sporting sense. 20 years on from the first edition, England face a World XI (sort of) from 6.30pm BST.
Michael Jones31 May 2026 11:27