Full Soccer Aid lineups as Mauricio Pochettino and Eden Hazard set for Chelsea return
With the 2024 edition of Soccer Aid for UNICEF right around the corner, many up and down the country are once again looking forward to seeing some of the world’s most recognisable celebrities and footballing faces take each other on at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
The annual charity event, which has raised over £90m since the inaugural edition in 2006, is now hosted every year having previously been held once every two years, with the World XI having won the previous five editions over England including last years 4-2 victory at Old Trafford.
This year’s lineup of celebrities and footballing legends is stacked top to bottom, with England being managed by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard, alongside his uncle and former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp and musician and Soccer Aid founder Robbie Williams. The trio will be backed up by ex-Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman and This is England actor Vicky McClure, with a star-studded squad to pick from.
Jill Scott will be captaining the England side, with Gary Cahill, Joe Cole and Ellen White among the former Three Lions players in the squad. The celebrities list includes British athletics icon Sir Mo Farah, actor Tom Hiddleston, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn, former England field hockey star Sam Quek and actor/ comedian Paddy McGuiness. First time Soccer Aid signings also include newly-retired cricketer Stuart Broad, I’m a Celebrity winner Sam Thompson, YouTuber Miniminter and Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier.
Full England lineup: David James, Gary Cahill, Jill Scott (captain), Karen Carney, Jack Wilshere, Joe Cole, Theo Walcott, Ellen White, Jermain Defoe, Stuart Broad, Bobby Brazier, Sam Thompson, Paddy McGuinness, Tom Grennan, Mo Farah, Alex Brooker, Erin Doherty, Steven Bartlett, Danny Dyer, Sam Quek, Miniminter, Eddie Hearn, Tom Hiddleston.
Ex-Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino will be making a return to his former side’s ground just a month after walking away from the job in May as he takes charge of the World XI for the second straight year alongside his assistant manager Jesus Perez and former Tottenham and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane.
Another flurry of Blues legends are in the World XI squad, with Petr Cech, Michael Essien, Mikel John Obi and Eden Hazard all set to return to Stamford Bridge. The world’s fastest man, Usain Bolt, will be captaining the World XI for the fourth straight year and will be hoping to continue his undefeated streak at the charity event.
Other celebrities include comedian Lee Mack, rapper Tion Wayne, boxer Tommy Fury, bodybuilder and Gladiators competitor Livi ‘Diamond’ Sheldon, and YouTuber Theo Baker. Freestyler Billy Wingrove is also acting as the World XI’s Skills Coach.
Full World XI lineup: Petr Čech, Roberto Carlos, Patrice Evra, Michael Essien, Mikel John Obi, Kaylyn Kyle, Kheira Hamraoui, Eden Hazard, Alessandro Del Piero, Olga García, Usain Bolt (captain), Maisie Adam, Tommy Fury, Livi Sheldon, Martin Compston, Roman Kemp, Lee Mack, Theo Baker, Jason Manford, Tony Bellew, Tion Wayne, Micheal Ward, Emmett J. Scanlan.
The show will be hosted by UNICEF UK Ambassador Dermot O’Leary, who will be joined once again by UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Scott. You can watch live on Sunday, June 9 at 6PM on ITV, ITVX and STV.
