Soccer Aid 2025: What TV channel is it on? What are the official team line-ups?

Wales Online

9 hours ago

Soccer Aid 2025: What TV channel is it on? What are the official team line-ups?
Soccer Aid is back as a host of celebrities and former professional footballers take to the pitch for and England vs World XI charity match – and here's all you need to know about the event
Soccer Aid is set to return for 2025
(Image: Soccer Aid 2025/PA Wire )
Soccer Aid is gearing up for its 2025 return as celebrities and retired football stars prepare to compete in an England vs World XI charity match.
The event was created by pop icon Robbie Williams and TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes. Soccer Aid has rapidly become a yearly highlight since its inception in 2006. The match raises funds for UNICEF UK, amassing an impressive total of £106million to date, as per the Mirror. The World XI, previously known as the Rest of the World, boasts a superior head-to-head record.
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The World XI have triumphed over England seven times compared to England's six victories. However, in the last match, the Three Lions savoured their first win in six years under Frank Lampard's guidance at a packed Stamford Bridge.
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Here's all you need to know about the upcoming 2025 Soccer Aid event, including its venue, date, ticket information and the respective team squads.
When is Soccer Aid 2025?
Soccer Aid 2025 is scheduled for Sunday, June 15, with live coverage on ITV1. It can also be streamed online via ITVX and STV.
The match will begin around 7:30pm, with UNICEF UK Ambassador Dermot O'Leary and ex-England star Alex Scott hosting the live coverage.
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Where will Soccer Aid 2025 take place?
Following the 2024 event at Stamford Bridge, another legendary Premier League stadium will play host to Soccer Aid as it makes a return to Old Trafford in Manchester.
Manchester United's home ground has previously hosted the event in 2006, from 2010 to 2018, and then again in 2020 and 2023. The stadium boasts a seating capacity of nearly 75,000.
Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury are set to coach England
(Image: Soccer Aid 2025/PA Wire )
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Are tickets still available for Soccer Aid 2025?
Yes, tickets for Soccer Aid 2025 are still up for grabs. They can be bought via the official Soccer Aid website, with a variety of categories and price points available.
Category 1 tickets, offering fans a closer view of the action, are priced at £60 for adults and £50 for children. Premium tickets are the most expensive at £90 and include a padded seat and access to an exclusive lounge.
The cheapest tickets are available in Category 5, slightly further from the pitch, at a more affordable rate of just £20 for adults and £10 for children. However, Category 4 and Wheelchair Access tickets have sold out.
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Who are the players for Soccer Aid 2025?
As Soccer Aid makes its return to United's stomping ground, one of the club's most legendary players will grace his former turf. Wayne Rooney stands out as both a player and manager for England.
He will be accompanied by ex-United team-mates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes in representing England. One Direction's Louis Tomlinson is set to return, along with last year's Player of the Match, Steven Bartlett. Former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart will also make his Soccer Aid debut.
The remainder of the Three Lions squad comprises Jermain Defoe, Steph Houghton, Toni Duggan, Aaron Lennon, Jill Scott, Sam Thompson, Sam Quek, Sir Mo Farah, Paddy McGuinness, Dame Denise Lewis, Bear Grylls, Tom Grennan, Alex Brooker and Angry Ginge.
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Soccer Aid is set to return for 2025
(Image: Soccer Aid 2025/PA Wire )
England's backroom team is an eclectic mix, featuring Wayne Rooney, boxing titan Tyson Fury, Harry Redknapp, actor Vicky McClure, and goalkeeper David James.
On the other side, the World XI will be managed by ex-United keeper Peter Schmeichel. The team will feature other Old Trafford heroes, such as Edwin van der Sar and Nemanja Vidic.
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Boxer Tony Bellew and Italy international Leonardo Bonucci will join them for Soccer Aid 2025. The squad also includes Toby Brown, Martin Compston, Richard Gadd, Bryan Habana, Dermot Kennedy, Kaylyn Kyle, Gorka Marquez, Nadia Nadim and Livi Sheldon.
Are there any rivalries at Soccer Aid 2025?
From a football perspective, former Italy defender Bonucci may rekindle tension with the England side following his nation's triumph in the Euro 2020 final. It was heartbreak for England at Wembley, as they succumbed to Italy on penalties, with Bonucci seizing the opportunity post-match to proclaim: "It's coming to Rome."
One celebrity rivalry that won't be rekindled is reality TV's Sam Thompson and singer Louis Tomlinson. The One Direction heartthrob is dating Thompson's ex-girlfriend, Zara McDermott from Love Island. This fresh relationship came to light in March, a mere three months after news broke that Thompson and McDermott had called their relationship quits.
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However, Thompson has pulled out of the event just days before it was due to take place.
During a recent episode of Thompson's Staying Relevant podcast, co-host Pete Wicks teased about potential Soccer Aid rivalries, asking: "Any kind of people in there who you're looking forward to playing with [at Soccer Aid]?"
Sam Thompson and Louis Tomlinson could be set for an awkward encounter as England team-mates
(Image: Soccer Aid 2025/PA Wire )
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The 32-year-old enthusiastically answered: "Loads. Tom Grennan. I'm really looking forward to playing alongside Wayne Rooney. Tyson Fury's the manager. I can't wait."
In another light-hearted dig, Wicks replied: "'I mean that's gonna be f****** amazing. Make sure you get him (Fury) 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. All sorts gets brought up."
Meanwhile, Thompson has already been busy raising money for UNICEF. He delivered the match ball from Stamford Bridge in London to Old Trafford in Manchester, raising more than £1.5m in the process.
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Who won at Soccer Aid in 2024?
England emerged as the winners of Soccer Aid in 2024 under Lampard's management. Joe Cole swiftly put the Three Lions ahead after only six minutes, but Chelsea icon Eden Hazard scored at Stamford Bridge to level the score.
The World XI snatched the lead thanks to Alessandro Del Piero, but Ellen White made history before the break by becoming the first female scorer in the event's history.
In the second half, Bartlett claimed his first goal and was later named Player of the Match, while Jermain Defoe added another to the tally. Bartlett wasn't finished, netting his second and bringing the score to 5-2, until Billy Wingrove scored from the spot for the World XI. Theo Walcott sealed the deal with a final goal, setting England's sights on equalling the overall record this time around.