Soccer Aid kicks off ITV coverage as viewers all say the same thing
Soccer Aid 2025 is taking place on Sunday, June 15 with a whole host of famous faces taking part - and fans have been quick to take to social media to share their thoughts
Soccer Aid is back in full swing for 2025, uniting celebrities on Old Trafford's illustrious turf to raise vital funds for Unicef as England faces off against the World XI team.
Following an intense run-up – with I'm A Celebrity champ Sam Thompson withdrawing due to a last-second injury – the match unfolds on Sunday, June 15 with ITV broadcasting live.
Coverage kicked off at 6pm, with presenters Dermot O'Leary and Alex Scott, as they prepared viewers for a 7.30pm kick-off. The four-hour spectacle dominating prime-time Sunday evening offers fans an extended football feast until 10pm.
Just moments after coverage commenced, fans took to social media to commend the event and shine a spotlight on one player in particular, reports the Manchester Evening News.
One fan posted: "Superb the way these celebrities give their time up for free to play at Old Trafford #SoccerAid."
Another expressed: "Love #SoccerAid #SoccerAid2025."
A third said: "Who's watching #SoccerAid tonight then?" And: "Love soccer aid #SoccerAid."
Louis Tomlinson from One Direction seemed to be the highlight for many, with one excited fan saying: "i'm actually so excited to see louis play." And: "Louis looks amazing! ! !".
The 2025 event boasts a star-studded line-up, including former footballer and manager Wayne Rooney, boxing champion Tyson Fury, ex-football manager Harry Redknapp, and Line of Duty actress Vicky McClure as coaches for England. The team also includes Dragons' Den's Steven Bartlett, musician Tom Grennan, and former footballer Gary Neville.
The World XI is managed by ex-goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel and features former boxer Tony Bellew, Strictly's Gorka Marquez, and ex-footballer Harry Kewell on the field.
However, England player Sam Thompson had to withdraw from the event due to an injury he picked up during a five-day challenge earlier this month, where he impressively raised over £1 million for Unicef.
The challenge involved him transporting the match ball on foot and bike from the previous year's venue, Stamford Bridge in London, to this year's location, Old Trafford in Manchester, covering a whopping distance of 261 miles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Alex Scott's WAG Jess Glynne can't keep her hands off her at Soccer Aid match as she cheekily grabs presenter's bum in loved-up display
Alex Scott and her WAG Jess Glynne couldn't keep their hands off each other at the Soccer Aid match on Sunday. The 40-year-old former footballer presented the charity event alongside Dermot O'Leary, with girlfriend Jess supporting her from the sidelines. Alex stole the show in a dark burgundy leather two-piece, which had subtle Soccer Aid branding for her big night. She added a pair of heels for extra glam, looking excited as she headed onto the pitch with a microphone in hand. Songstress Jess, 35, was clearly feeling her girlfriend in the latex outfit as she cheekily grabbed her bum. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Jess placed her hand over Alex's embroidered burgundy and gold maxi skirt, as the pair frolicked around on the pitch. Alex stood on her tiptoes as Jess pulled her in for a hug, with the two stars playfully laughing at each other. Jess cut a more casual figure in bleached ripped jeans, which she wore with a white top and plaid shirt. The singer wore her hood up and added a leather jacket and glasses more a more low-key look. Other stars in attendance were Coleen Rooney, Julia Roberts and Robbie Williams. WAG Coleen, 39, was spotted with one of her four sons, looking in good spirits as they headed to support husband and dad Wayne Rooney. Alex and Jess' appearance marks the latest loved-up display from the couple, who began dating around October 2023. They kept their relationship private for months however, with Alex later admitting that they chose to do so because they knew it was 'special'. Writing in The Times, the BBC pundit opened up on her relationship, saying her and Jess are becoming the 'same person'. Detailing her daily routine, she wrote: 'I wake up next to my partner, Jess, who has become the same person as me over the past year and a half. 'She can see what going to the gym does for me mentally, so she'll do the same'. As reported by The Sun, Alex is said to be 'considering other offers' after experiencing a 'lack of support' with Football Focus on the BBC. The controversy came surrounding plummeting viewing figures, which left Alex reportedly feeling like she had been 'thrown under a bus' by the broadcaster. A source said: 'Last year [Alex] was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures - and felt she was thrown under a bus. 'The viewing figures were not as reported. She feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures.' The presenter's contract with the BBC is reported to be up for renewal this summer.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sam Thompson narrowly avoids awkward on pitch run-in with Louis Tomlinson at Soccer Aid - after pair held 'peace dinner' in a bid to 'ease awkwardness' over Zara McDermott
Sam Thompson narrowly avoided an awkward on pitch run-in with Louis Tomlinson at Soccer Aid's annual Charity Match at Old Trafford on Sunday - which saw rapper Big Zuu score the winning goal at Soccer Aid to hand the World XI. The pair have been training together as part of the England team and reportedly held a 'peace dinner' before the match to 'ease awkwardness' over Louis, 33, dating Sam's ex Zara McDermott, 28. Sam, 32, who had been forced to pull out of playing after he suffered a string of injuries, including a calf injury, after his 260-mile challenge, made a surprise last minute appearance during the final moments of the game. The I'm A Celeb champ was called onto the pitch, only after Louis had left, meaning they avoided coming face-to-face in front of the huge crowd Soccer Aid 2025 saw £15million raised for charity as this year's edition lived up to the extensive pre-match billings from fans and celebrities alike. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Sam and Louis' dinner reportedly took place at Champneys in Tring, Herts with their other teammates in a bid to keep the peace ahead of the big game. A source told The Sun: 'There is no beef between the pair and they're both going to ensure their love lives don't distract from such a big charity spectacle. 'They are fully aware that their every move is being scrutinised and they've broken bread with their teammates, so it'll be smooth sailing on the day.' Instead of playing the game, Sam been helping from the sidelines as a coach after getting injured. Opening up about his injury, he spoke to This Morning hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary. He said: 'I'm still very sore, still got the torn calf, however I am here at Soccer Aid HQ and it does not get better than this. 'We've still got the management team of England, we've got Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, who's stepping into some new shoes and Harry Redknapp...' He continued: 'But also because I'm not going to be able to run around, you've also got me, part of the management team. Come on baby!' The I'm A Celeb was called on to the pitch, only after Louis had left, meaning they avoided coming face-to-face in front of the huge crowd A source said: 'There is no beef between the pair and they're both going to ensure their love lives don't distract from such a big charity spectacle' Late last year Sam split with former Love Island star Zara after five years together. It was then revealed in March how Zara had moved on with former One Direction singer Louis. During an episode of their podcast last month, Pete Wicks, 37, teased Sam about the prospect of the potentially awkward encounter between him and Louis. The TOWIE star asked his co-host: 'You're really going through it with the whole f****** body and dieting and training loads. Is that for Soccer Aid?' But, not dropping the subject, Pete then asked: 'Any kind of people in there who you're looking forward to playing with?' 'Loads,' Sam laughed: 'Tom Grennan. I'm really looking forward to playing alongside Wayne Rooney, Tyson Fury's the manager. I can't wait'. Pete joked: 'I mean that's gonna be f****** amazing. Make sure you get him on side though because you may need him in your corner in case you fall out with anyone. Not that you will but just in case there's any rivalries or anything. 'You know, you have to train together and it's a lot, you know when you're kind of in close quarters with someone like that. All sorts gets brought up. Anyway...'
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Sam Thompson joins final minutes of Soccer Aid charity match as England player
The Made In Chelsea star had said he could not play for the England team after being injured while completing the Match Ball Mission running and cycling challenge, which raised more than £2 million for Unicef. But Thompson made it on for the last few minutes of the charity match, broadcast live on ITV, which also saw Hollywood's Julia Roberts chatting to Wayne Rooney and Dermot O'Leary apologising to viewers for a Tyson Fury 'f-bomb'. The match at Old Trafford, which sees an England team of former professionals and celebrities take on Soccer Aid World XI FC, raised more than £15 million for the aid organisation. The I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! winner injured his calf during his challenge where he transported the Soccer Aid match ball from last year's stadium, Chelsea's Stamford Bridge, to Old Trafford. On Friday, he announced that he would no longer be able to play and instead join the management team alongside Fury, however minutes before the final whistle, Thompson joined the Old Trafford pitch as a player. Before Sunday's match, O'Leary 'profusely' apologised to ITV viewers after the heavyweight champion swore live on air while giving the England team a pre-match talk in the locker rooms. He said: 'Let them know how good we are. We are England. We are f****** Spartans. We are Spartans.' Presenters Alex Scott and O'Leary apologised afterwards, with Scott saying: 'What can I say about Tyson Fury? We do apologise for the swearing, but it is Tyson Fury, we don't know what's going to happen.' O'Leary added: 'We do profusely apologise.' The game ended with a 5-4 win for the Soccer Aid World XI team, with the final goal being scored by rapper and TV chef Big Zuu. Among his teammates who joined him to celebrate was former Argentina and Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez, who scored four goals for the World XI. Prior to lifting the trophy in the air, singer Robbie Williams – who co-founded the charity game in 2006 – announced this year's had raised £15,280,163. Pretty Woman-star Roberts, who has described herself as a 'true fan' of Manchester United, was seen taking photographs at Old Trafford, smiling next to the former England striker Rooney, who, minutes into the game, scored the first goal for England. Among the England team line-up alongside Rooney were former One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson and Olympic gold-medallist Sir Mo Farah. Last Of Us star Bella Ramsey also joined this year's England team along with comedian Paddy McGuinness, former Manchester United player Gary Neville and singer Tom Grennan. Last year, the match ended with a 6-3 win for England, with the Three Lions taking home the win for the first time in six years. Since the fundraising match was first founded nearly two decades ago, it has raised more than £106 million.
