Soccer Aid 2026 line-up revealed & Lancashire stars join Robbie Williams, Wayne Rooney & co
The line-up for the highly anticipated Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 have just been revealed - and two Lancashire stars feature.
33 players were announced today – including nine debutants, both hosts and the match commentator – for the world’s biggest celebrity football match.
This is the twentieth anniversary of the game, which has raised more than £121 million for UNICEF since it was co-founded by UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams in 2006.
Tickets are on sale for this summer’s fixture now – Adult tickets cost £20 and Juniors £10 – and include access to a pre-game ‘Fan Zone’.
Which Lancashire stars feature?
Radio presenter Jordan North, who hails from Burnley, makes his debut this year, joining the England sqaud for the first time.
The former Preston resident is reportedly hoping to form a powerhouse partnership with fellow northerner and I’m A Celebrity star Angry Ginge – who was the 2025 Player of the Match.
On the opposite side, comedian Paddy Mcguiness - who has previously sworn his hometown of Bolton will always be Lancashire - returns for a record holding tenth appearance!
What have our Lancashire stars said about Soccer Aid?
Jordan said: “I’m privileged, excited - and slightly terrified! - to be making my debut for Soccer Aid for UNICEF on Sunday 31st May. I can’t wait for my family to watch me play at the London Stadium. Sharing a pitch with football legends will be up there with Burnley winning promotion to the Premier League. Most importantly, money raised will support UNICEF's work protecting play for children all over the world and I can't wait to be a part of it. Please buy your tickets and support this amazing cause.”
Paddy meanwhile said: “Wow! 20 years of Soccer Aid with this one being my 10th appearance, in the world’s biggest charity football match. I cannot wait. To share a pitch with football legends and stars for such an amazing cause is an honour. I hope to see as many people as possible at the London Stadium on Sunday 31st May and raise even more money than last year. Make sure you buy a ticket and help UNICEF provide life-changing and life-saving support to children facing war, hunger, and disaster.”
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What’s the full line-up?
Other than Jordan, the debutants this year are: celebrites GK Barry, Owen Cooper, Damson Idri, Joe Marler and Nitro, as well as football legends Jordi Alba, Jen Beattie and Ali Krieger.
The celebrity returners joining Paddy are then: Maisie Adam, Usain Bolt, Alex Brooker, Richard Gadd, Angry Ginge, Tom Grennan, Tom Hiddleston, Olly Murs, Sam Thompson, Big Zuu and of course, Robbie Williams.
The football legends that are taking part again are: Leonardo Bonucci, Jermain Defoe, Toni Duggan, Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Wayne Rooney, Edwin van der Sar, Jill Scott, and Theo Walcott
UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams will manage England, calling on both Joe Marler and Paddy McGuiness as his celebrity goalkeepers.
Soccer Aid 2026 will then be hosted by Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott with match commentary by Sam Matterface.
More famous faces are set to be revealed in the coming weeks.
What else can we expect this year?
The twentieth anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 31 May at the London Stadium.
On the 60 th anniversary of England's World Cup triumph, the Three Lions are choosing to channel the spirit of '66 by wearing the iconic white home kit from the same tournament, when they take on the Soccer Aid World XI.
A special twentieth anniversary extended half-time show will also be announced in due course. Previous performers include Rita Ora; Robbie Williams; Tom Grennan; Dermot Kennedy and Tom Walker.
Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. The ITV show will be produced by Initial – part of Banijay UK.
What have organisers said about Soccer Aid 2026?
UNICEF UK Ambassador and Soccer Aid co-founder, Robbie Williams, said: “I’m incredibly proud to be celebrating 20 years of Soccer Aid for UNICEF this year, it’s one of the most important things to me. Last year’s event raised more money than ever and £121 million raised since we started – genuinely life-changing. Let’s hope we can break the record again this year. Can’t wait to see you there!”
Philip Goodwin, UNICEF UK CEO, said: “For the past twenty years, Soccer Aid for UNICEF has united fans, players and communities around one shared goal: to make sure every child can grow up safe, healthy and able to play. Play is at the heart of childhood — it’s how children explore, learn and imagine a world full of possibility. But for millions of children living through conflict, disaster and disease and now the impact of aid cuts, even this simple, joyful part of childhood is under threat.
“Soccer Aid for UNICEF is about changing that. Every ticket bought and every pound raised helps UNICEF protect play for children everywhere — by providing clean water, healthcare, education and the support they need to thrive. We are so grateful to everyone who buys a ticket and supports this year's event. Together, we can help give more children the safe, healthy childhood they deserve.”
Kenneth Shepherd, Executive Director, Soccer Aid Productions, said: “On Sunday 31st March, at the London Stadium, the twentieth anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF will take place. Two decades of our match have raised more than £121m for UNICEF, which is incredible. This year promises to be bigger and better than ever before. This is because we have the very best players, from the worlds of sport and entertainment, on the same pitch. It will be a fantastic day.
“Thanks should go to the London Stadium, ITV, Initial (part of Banijay UK) and, of course, UNICEF who come together – with many other stakeholders – to put on a game of football, which we all know is so much more than that. A special thanks to our Partners: Primark; EA Sports FC; adidas; Chery and Yoto – with more to come.
“The golden thread that connects every Soccer Aid for UNICEF game is the extraordinary generosity of the Great British public. It is so important that of all the many thank you messages, the biggest is reserved for you. Your continued support in buying tickets and donating is humbling. Thank you!”
Graham Gilmore, London Stadium CEO, said: “We are delighted to welcome back Soccer Aid for UNICEF to London Stadium for the twentieth anniversary this summer. We are looking forward to playing our part in putting on a spectacle for the fans, with an incredible list of ex-players and celebrities due to take part. I am sure memories of London 2012 will come flooding back, when Usain Bolt returns to the Stadium once more, the scene of his three Olympic golds.
“Most importantly, we are committed to raising funds for UNICEF and supporting the organisation’s life‑changing work for children globally. It promises to be a special moment to kick-off our summer of events.”
The twentieth anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF takes place on Sunday 31 May at the London Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at socceraid.org.uk/tickets