Soccer Aid 2024 is about to be played out live on ITV1! Since the fun charity international football match started in 2006, Soccer Aid has grown in popularity to the point where sporting icons and A-list celebrities alike are begging to get in on the fun. Now this year’s tournament takes place at Chelsea FC’s ground Stamford Bridge and the live coverage is hosted by Alex Scott and Dermot O’Leary.
This year's Soccer Aid game will see the likes of Sir Mo Farah, Usain Bolt, Robbie Williams, Martin Compston and Roberto Carlos taking to the pitch to raise money for UNICEF, which helps disadvantaged children across the world.
Former Chelsea and England player Frank Lampard is joining Soccer Aid for the first time and teaming up with his uncle, former West Ham and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp, to manage the England side. Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino meanwhile will take charge of the World XI. This year sees former Belgium international footballer Eden Hazard, Strictly Come Dancing 2023 and EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, actress Erin Doherty, former England cricketer Stuart Broad, I’m A Celebrity winner Sam Thompson and Gladiators' Diamond make their debut appearances in the 2024 tournament.
“Soccer Aid for UNICEF is one of the biggest sources of joy in my life,” says co-founder and singer Robbie Williams. “It is an amazing event. When we launched this nearly two decades ago, I would never have dreamed it would raise as much money as it has. The main reason the match continues to be such a success, is because the great British public continue to be so generous in supporting UNICEF’s work helping children around the world have happy, healthy, play-filled childhoods. Once again, I am kindly asking you to buy a ticket to the game on Sunday 9th June at Stamford Bridge – the line-up is as star-studded as ever! Thank you for all of your continued support.”
Here’s everything you need to know about Soccer Aid 2024 on ITV1...
Soccer Aid 2024 release date
The Soccer Aid 2024 match will be televised live from Stamford Bridge on ITV1 on Sunday June 9 2024 frm 6pm. Kick-off time is 7.30pm. You'll also be able to catch up with the Soccer Aid 2024 action on ITVX.
How to get Soccer Aid 2024 tickets
Tickets for Soccer Aid 2024 are currently on sale with proceeds going to UNICEF. Click here for Soccer Aid 2024 tickets
Soccer Aid 2024 — England players and management line-up
Here are the Soccer Aid 2024 squads so far, although more names will be announced closer to the game, so do check back..
England
Jill Scott, Stuart Broad, Bobby Brazier, Sam Thompson, Paddy McGuinness, David James, Jermain Defoe, Karen Carney, Gary Cahill, Tom Grennan, Jack Wilshire, Joe Cole, Sir Mo Farah, Alex Brooker, Erin Doherty, Steven Bartlett, Danny Dyer, Theo Walcott, Ellen White and Miniminter.
England management
Frank Lampard, Harry Redknapp, Robbie Williams and David Seaman.
World XI FC player and management line-up
World XI FC
Usain Bolt, Eden Hazard, Tommy Fury, Maisie Adam, Diamond, Roberto Carlos, Martin Compston, Roman Kemp, Lee Mack and Theo Baker.
World XI FC management
Mauricio Pochettino and Jesus Perez.
Bobby Brazier interview on doing Soccer Aid for the first time
This is your first time running out onto the pitch for the Soccer Aid England team under Frank Lampard and Harry Redknapp. What made you want to take part?
Bobby Brazier says: "It’s an amazing opportunity for an amazing charity, so I couldn’t say no. I can’t stop thinking about the match venue and the quality of the pitch at Stamford Bridge as well. The scale of the event and the stadium is just unbelievable!"
You showed the nation your fancy footwork on Strictly, so have you got any special moves for the football pitch?
"I’m going to try my best, but my moves on Strictly are a little different to my moves on the football pitch. I played a five-a-side game the other day to get my fitness up, so I’m definitely there to win."
Who else on the EastEnders cast, either past or present, do you think would be a great teammate to take on the World XI?
"I would have to go for my best friend, Clay Miler Russell, who plays Bobby Beale. He’s one of my best friends both on and off screen and I’d pick him purely because I think he’d be rubbish on the pitch and he’d make me look really good!"
Your dad, Jeff Brazier, went through the famous West Ham Youth Academy. Has he given you any advice ahead of the match?
"My dad is even more excited about this than I am. He’s on at me to get training and to get into peak fitness. We went to the gym recently and he put me through a tough session. My dad’s a good footballer, he always coached my teams growing up and we always developed as a team because of him, so I’ll definitely make use of the training."
Who are you most looking forward to competing against on the Soccer Aid World XI which includes legendary sprinter Usain Bolt and Belgian star Eden Hazard?
"To play against Eden Hazard is going to be absolutely incredible but I can’t say I’m excited about it because one-on-one it will be a losing battle for me every time. But to potentially take the ball off Eden Hazard is really exciting!"
Jill Scott and Tommy Fury on Soccer Aid 2024
On ITV1 show This Morning in the week before Soccer Aid 2024, Jill Scott and Tommy Fury spoke to Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley.
Tommy said, “I’m a lot more focused, and I’ll be coming back bigger and better than last year - not that I had much to do with last year's win! But it was amazing. As a kid, I used to go to Old Trafford and watch the games, so to be able to play there was absolutely amazing, but it was a great experience and for Unicef and the kids that need it.”
Jill added, “Hopefully this year will surpass £100 million pounds [for the charity] and I was lucky enough to go to Romania to see the work that that money does, so for me this year, it’ll be extra special. This money is really changing lives and that’s the main thing.”
Despite the England team not winning for the past five years, Jill remained hopeful. She smiled, “That is [painfull], when I was playing, I was like ‘it’s all for charity, it’s a great occasion’, but [looking at Tommy] it did hurt when you lifted that trophy. I wanted England to win it!”
Other 'build-up' shows with a Soccer Aid theme
Before Soccer Aid kicks off on Sunday June 9, a number of ITV shows will also be trying to raise excitement levels plus money, in the build up to the big night. Here's a rundown...
The Chase Celebrity Special For Soccer Aid
Monday 3 June 5pm
Wednesday 5 June 5pm
Friday 7 June 5pm
Tipping Point Celebrity Special For Soccer Aid
Tuesday 4 June 4pm
Thursday 6 June4pm
Friday 7 June 4pm
Soccer Aid: The Warm Up
Friday 7 June 7pm on ITVX
Sunday 9 June 3pm on ITV1
Katie Piper Breakfast Show Special
Saturday 8 June 8.30am
James Martin's Saturday Morning Special
Saturday 8 June 9.30am
In With a Shout Celebrity Special For Soccer Aid
Saturday 8 June 7pm
All about Soccer Aid 2024 presenters Alex Scott and Dermot O’Leary
Former Arsenal and England footballer Alex Scott is now a pundit on BBC Sport, Match of the Day and Sky Sports. She also provides coverage for the World Cup, Women’s World Cup and Euros. In 2016 she won Bear Gryll’s show Mission Survive and she’s also a regular guest presenter on The One Show. Alex took part in the 2019 series of Strictly Come Dancing and has presented on The Tournament, The Games, BBC Sports Personality of the Year and Football Focus.
Dermot O’Leary presents This Morning and Saving Lives at Sea. He’s also presented The X-Factor, Big Brother, Good Morning Britain, The One Show and Reel Stories. He’s also had acting cameos on Inside No.9, Years and Years and That Christmas.
