| Soccer Aid | |
|---|---|
.png){kind=logo} | |
| Genre | Charity event |
| Created by | Robbie Williams Jonathan Wilkes |
| Presented by | Ant & Dec (2006–08) Dermot O'Leary (2010–present) Kirsty Gallacher (2010–2020) Alex Scott (2021–present) Backstage: Cat Deeley (2012–2014) Regular Pundit: Maya Jama (2020–2023) Extra Time: Sara Cox (2006) Dave Berry (2010–2012) Jermaine Jenas (2023) Joelah Noble (2023) |
| Starring | Guest Panellists Vicky McClure Jason Manford Jermaine Jenas |
| Country of origin | England |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 13 editions |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 210–220 minutes (inc. adverts) |
| Production company | Initial |
| Original release | |
| Network | ITV Virgin Media Sport |
| Release | 22 May 2006 (2006-5-22) – present |
| Sport | Association football |
|---|---|
| Type | Friendly match |
| Location | England |
| Teams |
|
| First meeting | England 2–1 Rest of the World (3 June 2006; 18 years ago (2006-06-03)) |
| Latest meeting | England 6–3 World XI (9 June 2024; 9 months ago (2024-06-09)) |
| Broadcasters | ITV |
| Stadiums |
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| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 13 |
| Most wins | World XI (7) |
| Most player appearances | David Seaman (8) |
| Top scorer | Kem Cetinay (5) |
| All-time record |
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| Largest goal scoring | 9 goals (9 June 2024) |
| Longest win streak | World XI, 5 (2019–2023) |
| Current win streak | England, 1 (2024) |
Soccer Aid is an English annualcharity event that has raised over £106 million in aid ofUNICEF UK, through ticket sales and donations from the public. The televised event is anexhibition-stylefootball match between two teams, England and the Soccer Aid World XI (formerlyRest of the World (ROW) until 2018), composed of celebrities and former professional players representing their countries. It is the onlymixed-sex match officially sanctioned byThe Football Association.[1]
Soccer Aid was initiated in 2006 byRobbie Williams andJonathan Wilkes. It initially took place every two years, but since the 2018 edition it is now held annually. The television broadcast is produced byInitial and distributed byEndemol Shine Sport, a Dutch company that distributesDutch Eredivisie coverage.[2] Television coverage began onITV on 22 May 2006 in a show presented byAnt & Dec.Dermot O'Leary took over as main presenter in 2010.
The ROW/World XI team narrowly leads the head-to-head, with seven wins to the England team's six.
On 16 June 2019, the fixture was the first to include female players as part of the squads. In 2020, the match was played behind closed doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
| Edition | Year | Winners | Score | Runners–up | Venue | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2006 | England | 2–1 | Rest of the World | Old Trafford,Manchester | 71,960 |
| 2 | 2008 | England (2) | 4–3 | Rest of the World | Wembley Stadium,London | 45,000 |
| 3 | 2010 | Rest of the World | 2–2 (7–6p) | England | Old Trafford,Manchester | 65,493 |
| 4 | 2012 | England (3) | 3–1 | Rest of the World | 67,346 | |
| 5 | 2014 | Rest of the World (2) | 4–2 | England | 65,574 | |
| 6 | 2016 | England (4) | 3–2 | Rest of the World | 70,000 | |
| 7 | 2018 | England (5) | 3–3 (4–3p) | World XI | 71,965 | |
| 8 | 2019 | World XI (3) | 2–2 (3–1p) | England | Stamford Bridge,London | 39,836 |
| 9 | 2020 | World XI (4) | 1–1 (4–3p) | England | Old Trafford,Manchester | 0[a] |
| 10 | 2021 | World XI (5) | 3–0 | England | City of Manchester Stadium,Manchester | 51,674 |
| 11 | 2022 | World XI (6) | 2–2 (4–1p) | England | London Stadium,London | 54,410 |
| 12 | 2023 | World XI (7) | 4–2 | England | Old Trafford,Manchester | TBA |
| 13 | 2024 | England (6) | 6–3 | World XI | Stamford Bridge,London | TBA |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| Dates | 22 – 27 May |
| Venue(s) | 2 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions |  England (1st title) |
| Runners-up | Rest of the World |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 4 |
| Goals scored | 14 (3.5 per match) |
| Attendance | 71,960 (17,990 per match) |
2008 → | |
ITV, 22–27 May 2006
The practice matches were played over 60 minutes, with the Soccer Aid match played over 90 minutes.
The competition was organised on behalf of UNICEF UK with profits from the matches, along with donations and sponsorship, donated to UNICEF programs in Africa, Asia and the Americas.
England beat the Rest of the World 2–1. Goals fromLes Ferdinand andJonathan Wilkes put England into a two-goal lead but a handball inside the area fromDavid Gray resulted in a penalty, converted byDiego Maradona. Wilkes won the Man of the Match award.
The England squad was managed by formerEngland national football team managerTerry Venables, assisted byDavid Geddis andTed Buxton. The original squad comprised 16 players, with Bryan Robson added later. A handful of the players, notablyAngus Deayton, had previous celebrity international experience from the previous month'sEngland v Germany: The Legends match inReading, which Germany won 4–2. The England squad went into the match with no major injury worries. Their victory over a squad of ex-England internationals from the 1960s to 1990s on Tuesday morning was tempered with defeats to the Rest of the World in apenalty shootout and football quiz.
Celebrities
Legends
The Rest of the World squad was managed byRuud Gullit, withGus Poyet as his assistant. CaptainGordon Ramsay injured his leg in the early training sessions and was considered doubtful for the match. The original squad of 16 players, which later saw 2 changes, was supplemented by the addition of Diego Maradona during the build-up to the competition.Lothar Matthäus had appeared in the England v Germany: The Legends match the previous month.
The Rest of the World squad was wracked by injuries and withdrawals, and suffered from a lack of players. Desailly, Matthäus, Schmeichel and Ginola all arrived with only 2 or 3 days to spare before the match; Ginola arrived during half time of their warm-up defeat to the Scotland Legends on Wednesday afternoon, andDiego Maradona only joined the squad on the day before the match.
Also,Craig Doyle andBrian McFadden went into the match carrying knocks, which led to management membersRuud Gullit andGus Poyet coming on as substitutes on Wednesday and in the match itself.
Celebrities
Legends
Other notable participants
The match was refereed byPierluigi Collina, the Italianreferee considered by many fans as the best referee of all time.[3]
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| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| Dates | 7 September |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | England (2nd title) |
| Runners-up | Rest of the World |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 1 |
| Goals scored | 7 (7 per match) |
| Attendance | 45,000 (45,000 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Alan Shearer(2 goals) Paolo Di Canio(2 goals) |
←2006 2010 → | |
Soccer Aid 2008 was played on 7 September 2008. It was broadcast in the United Kingdom onITV and presented byAnt & Dec. Before kick-offJonathan Ansell sang the footballing anthem "Nessun Dorma", whilst the players were introduced toSir Geoff Hurst.
The referee at the start of the match wasPierluigi Collina, who also refereed the previous match in 2006 and is regarded as the best referee of all time.[3] However, after Collina was injured in the first half he was replaced byScottish refereeHugh Dallas. The process of two professional referees overseeing one half of the match each has since been maintained in subsequent series.
The England squad was coached byHarry Redknapp, withBryan Robson as his assistant manager.
Celebrities
Legends
The Rest of the World squad was coached byKenny Dalglish, withIan Rush as player-assistant manager.
Celebrities
Legends
| England | 4–3 | Rest of the World |
|---|---|---|
Sheringham 9'Shearer 45+1' (pen.),62'Wilkes 81' | Report | Di Canio 14',47' Marini 43' |
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 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| Dates | 6 June |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Rest of the World (1st title) |
| Runners-up | England |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 1 |
| Goals scored | 4 (4 per match) |
| Attendance | 65,493 (65,493 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) | Jamie Redknapp(1 goal) |
←2008 2012 → | |
Soccer Aid 2010 was played on 6 June 2010. It was broadcast in the United Kingdom onITV and presented byDermot O'Leary.
| England | 2–2 | Rest of the World |
|---|---|---|
| Redknapp 45+1' Sheringham 61' | Report | Calzaghe 64' Hyypiä 78' |
| Penalties | ||
Wilkes Little  McGuinness Shephard Williams Lewis Murs Hatton Walsh Cooper Theakston | 6–7 | LaraByrneFilanRamsayJonesCalzagheSheenKieltyMyersBakerHarrelson |
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| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | Manchester |
| Dates | 27 May |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | England (3rd title) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 1 |
| Goals scored | 4 (4 per match) |
| Attendance | 67,346 (67,346 per match) |
←2010 2014 → | |
Soccer Aid 2012 was played on 27 May 2012, as something of a precursor toUEFA Euro 2012 and the2012 Summer Olympics. It was broadcast in the United Kingdom onITV and presented byDermot O'Leary.Cat Deeley presented the backstage build up show before the main event.
| England | 3–1 | Rest of the World |
|---|---|---|
| Sheringham 69' Wilkes 72'Phillips 89' | Report | Pizzorno 22' |
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| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | Manchester |
| Dates | 8 June |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Rest of the World (2nd title) |
| Runners-up | England |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 1 |
| Goals scored | 6 (6 per match) |
| Attendance | 65,574 (65,574 per match) |
←2012 2016 → | |
The 2014 match was played atOld Trafford on 8 June 2014.[4]
The main match was hosted byDermot O'Leary withKirsty Gallacher, andCat Deeley presented the backstage build-up show before the main event.Caroline Flack presented from theBT Tower in London. Match commentators wereSam Matterface andGraham Taylor, andSol Campbell was a studio guest.
By full-time, the total raised forUNICEF was £4,233,019.[5]
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Man of the match: Match officials: |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | Manchester |
| Dates | 5 June 2016 |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | England (4th title) |
| Runners-up | Rest of the World |
←2014 2018 → | |
The 2016 match was played at Old Trafford on Sunday, 5 June.[11] The main match was hosted byDermot O'Leary andKirsty Gallacher, with commentary fromClive Tyldesley andChris Kamara.[12]
| England | 3–2 | Rest of the World |
|---|---|---|
| Wright 50' Defoe 65',77' | Report | Berbatov 54',59' (pen.) |
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Man of the match:
Match officials: |
The 2018 match was played at Old Trafford on Sunday 10 June.[11] The main match was hosted byDermot O'Leary andKirsty Gallacher, with commentary fromClive Tyldesley andRobbie Savage.
 | |
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | Manchester |
| Dates | 10 June 2018 |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | England (5th title) |
| Runners-up | Soccer Aid World XI |
←2016 2019 → | |
| England | 3–3 | Soccer Aid World XI |
|---|---|---|
| Bent 13' Lynch 17'Owen 82' | [1][2] | Keane 26' Verón 43'Seedorf 57' |
| Penalties | ||
| Flintoff Wicks Wright McGuinness Mack Harrison | 4–3 | BoltFonghoPietersenByrneColeChristensen |
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Man of the match:
Match officials:
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The 2019 match was played atStamford Bridge.[16] The main match is hosted byDermot O'Leary andKirsty Gallacher, with commentary fromClive Tyldesley andGraeme Le Saux. The game was opened by poet Hussain Manawer with his poem Game of Hearts.[17] The 2019 edition was the first to feature female players.[18] As in 2018, the referee wasMark Clattenburg.
Athalf-time British singer and actressRita Ora performed new song "Ritual" with British DJJonas Blue and Dutch DJTiësto, the first time a musician has performed at Soccer Aid. American actor and filmmakerTom Hanks kicked-off this year's Soccer Aid. Alan Sexton played in the England team as the first and only non-celebrity or legend player at Soccer Aid.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | London |
| Dates | 16 June 2019 |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Soccer Aid World XI (3rd title) |
| Runners-up | England |
←2018 2020 → | |
| England | 2–2 | Soccer Aid World XI |
|---|---|---|
| Lynch 19',37' | [3] | Bolt 43' Cetinay 83' |
| Penalties | ||
| Shephard Wicks Wright Mack | 1–3 | WingroveLocksmithCetinay |
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Man of the match:
Match officials: |
The 2020 match was scheduled to be played at Old Trafford on 6 June 2020. With the outbreak ofCOVID-19, the match was postponed with a rescheduled date of 6 September 2020.[20] This Soccer Aid 2020 match was played behind closed doors.[21]
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | Manchester |
| Dates | 6 September 2020 |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Soccer Aid World XI (4th title) |
| Runners-up | England |
←2019 2021 → | |
Note: Yaya Touré was dropped from the event after sending inappropriate messages in a squadWhatsApp group.[23]
| England | 1–1 | Soccer Aid World XI |
|---|---|---|
| Yung Filly 57' | Report | Keane 53' |
| Penalties | ||
| Murs Mark Wright Mack Bay Chunkz | 3–4 | LynchLocksmithPizzornoKennedyCetinay |
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Man of the match:
Match officials: |
The 2021 match was held at theCity of Manchester Stadium on 4 September 2021. Lee Mack switched teams to the Rest of the World squad, due to his Irish heritage.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | Manchester |
| Dates | 4 September 2021 |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Soccer Aid World XI (5th title) |
| Runners-up | England |
←2020 2022 → | |
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Man of the match:
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The 2022 match was held at theLondon Stadium, home ofWest Ham United, on 12 June 2022.
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | London |
| Dates | 12 June 2022 |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Soccer Aid World XI (6th title) |
| Runners-up | England |
←2021 2023 → | |
| England | 2–2 | Soccer Aid World XI |
|---|---|---|
| Wright 42' (pen.) Grennan 47' | Report | Beck 22' (pen.) Cetinay 62' |
| Penalties | ||
| Grennan Howard Wright | 1–4 | BeckCompstonCetinayMack |
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The 2023 match was held at Old Trafford on 11 June 2023. Jill Scott became the first female to captain a team in any edition.[24] Steven Bartlett withdrew from the game after ahamstring injury he picked up during practice.[25]
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | Manchester |
| Dates | 11 June 2023 |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Soccer Aid World XI (7th title) |
| Runners-up | England |
←2022 2024 → | |
| England | 2–4 | Soccer Aid World XI |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfield 50' Scholes 53' | Report | Bolt 24' Keane 65',70'Cetinay 80' |
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The 2024 match was held at Stamford Bridge on 9 June 2024. Steven Bartlett switched teams to the England squad. England lifted the trophy for the first time since 2018, after a 6–3 win against the World XI, breaking the previous highest scoring record from2008 of seven.[26]Ellen White also became the first female player to score in a Soccer Aid match.[27]
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | London |
| Dates | 9 June 2024 |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | England (6th title) |
| Runners-up | Soccer Aid World XI |
←2023 2025 → | |
| England | 6–3 | Soccer Aid World XI |
|---|---|---|
| Cole 7' White 30'Bartlett 53',73'Defoe 63'Walcott 81' | Report | Hazard 14' Del Piero 19'Wingrove 76' (pen.) |
The 2025 match will be held at Old Trafford on 15 June 2025.[28]
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Host country | England |
| City | Manchester |
| Dates | 15 June 2025 |
| Teams | 2 |
| Venue(s) | 1 |
←2024 2026 → | |
As of the 2023 match.
Top scorers[edit]
| Most appearances[edit]
|
