The highly anticipated Soccer Aid 2023 event is just around the corner, and fans can expect to see a host of familiar faces in action. The event will see celebrities and former professional footballers take to the turf at Old Trafford, as England goes head to head with World XI. In the last four Soccer Aids, England has suffered defeat, with three of those losses coming from penalties. However, this year, a management team led by rapper Stormzy has been tasked with ending the Three Lions’ torrid run of form. In the opposing dugout will be new Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.
There are a number of former professionals from both the women’s and men’s game that are taking part in Soccer Aid 2023. Confirmed ex-footballers involved in the event include Jill Scott, Jermain Defoe, Gary Cahill, Jack Wilshere, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Eni Aluko, Karen Carney, David James, Nicky Butt for England’s ex-pros and Ben Foster, Roberto Carlos, Nani, Francesco Totti, Gabriel Batistuta, Kaylyn Kyle, and Heather O’Reilly for World XI’s ex-pros.
The full Soccer Aid line-ups have been announced. The England line-up includes Stormzy, Harry Redknapp, Emma Hayes, Vicky McClure, and David Seaman as part of the management team. The team also includes Jill Scott as captain, David James as professional goalkeeper, Paddy McGuinness as celebrity goalkeeper, Gary Neville, Gary Cahill, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes, Jack Wilshere, Jermain Defoe, Eni Aluko, Karen Carney, Scarlette Douglas, Alex Brooker, Chunkz, Tom Grennan, Sir Mo Farah, Bugzy Malone, Joel Corry, and Liam Payne.
The Soccer Aid World XI line-up includes Mauricio Pochettino, Martin Compston, and Robbie Keane as part of the management team. The team comprises Usain Bolt as captain, Ben Foster as professional goalkeeper, Patrice Evra, Nani, Maisie Adam, Kaylyn Kyle, Heather O’Reilly, Mo Gilligan, Lee Mack, Steven Bartlett, Kem Cetinay, Noah Beck, and Tommy Fury.
Soccer Aid 2023 is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 11, with a kick-off time of 7.30 pm. The event is expected to draw a crowd of 74,000 fans at Old Trafford and will be broadcast live on ITV 1 and streamed on ITVX.