The biggest charity football match in the world is set to return in 2026, with organisers confirming the venue, early player line-ups and ticket information for the latest edition of Soccer Aid for UNICEF.
This year’s spectacle will take place at the London Stadium on Sunday 31 May 2026, marking the 20th anniversary of the charity event founded by pop star Robbie Williams and his friend Jonathan Wilkes.
The match will once again see an England XI take on the Soccer Aid World XI, combining celebrity players with former football stars in a bid to raise millions for UNICEF projects around the world.
Star-studded squads announced for Soccer Aid 2026
A host of big names from both football and entertainment have already been confirmed for the 2026 edition.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney headlines the England squad alongside ex-internationals such as Theo Walcott, Jermain Defoe, Joe Hart and Jill Scott.
They will be joined by celebrities including Tom Hiddleston, Tom Grennan, Robbie Williams, Owen Cooper, Damon Idris, Angry Ginge and Olly Murs as part of a star-packed England lineup.
The World XI squad also boasts serious star power. Sprint legend Usain Bolt returns, while former internationals including Leonardo Bonucci, Jordi Alba and Edwin van der Sar have been named among the early participants.
Organisers have confirmed that further celebrities and football legends will be announced closer to the event.
Ticket details and prices confirmed
Tickets for Soccer Aid 2026 have already gone on sale, with organisers encouraging fans to secure seats early for what is expected to be a sell-out event.
Adult tickets start from around £20, while junior tickets begin at £10, making the event one of the most accessible major football spectacles in the UK.
The annual charity match has become one of the most successful fundraising sporting events in Britain, raising huge sums for children’s programmes worldwide since it began in 2006.
FGG Says
Soccer Aid has evolved from a celebrity charity kick-about into a major fixture on the football calendar, attracting huge stadium crowds and global TV audiences every year.
Holding the 2026 edition at the London Stadium is another sign of the event’s growth, with the 60,000-seat venue capable of generating a massive fundraising boost for UNICEF.
With icons like Rooney and Bolt involved alongside high-profile celebrities, the 20th anniversary edition is shaping up to be one of the biggest Soccer Aid events yet.