Soccer Aid is back for another year as World Cup legends and top celebrities go head-to-head in an England versus The Rest of The World football match in aid of UNICEF and its partners, on ITV1.
With Ant and Dec hosting, this year’s event takes place live on the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp is stepping up to manage England with Bryan Robson assistant managing and his squad includes:
Football legends Jamie Redknapp, Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, David Seaman, Graham Le Saux and Des Walker and rugby and Dancing on Ice star Kyran Bracken, singer Craig David, TV presenter Angus Deayton, Harry Potter actor Tom Felton, Hollyoaks actor Chris Fountain, GMTV’s Ben Shephard, singer Gareth Gates, McFly’s Danny Jones, actor Hugo Speer, Heart 1062 radio presenter Jamie Theakston, and TV presenter Jonathan Wilkes.
Meanwhile, legendary Scot Kenny Dalglish ably assisted by Ian Rush will take charge of the Rest of the World and players hoping to make it into his starting line up include:
Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, Heroes actor Santiago Cabrera, Former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell, TV presenter GethinJones, comedian Patrick Kielty, rugby ace Kenny Logan, cricketer Brian Lara, Sex and the City actor Gilles Marini, singer Brian McFadden, Gordon Ramsay, Love Actually star Rodrigo Santoro and legends Jaap Stam, Franco Baresi, Romario, Luis Figo, Paolo Di Canio and Claudio Taffarel
Gordon Ramsay returns to captain Rest of the World, but team England have a new skipper. Robbie Williams is passing on his captain’s armband, and the responsibility of deciding who will take his place is in the capable hands of manager Harry Redknapp.
As the originator of the Soccer Aid concept, Robbie is confident that again the match will be of huge benefit to UNICEF’s work around the world.
Robbie Williams says: "Being able to help so many people through Soccer Aid was one of the true highlights of my life. I’m gutted that this time round my knee isn’t up to it so unfortunately I’m out of the game. But I hope that everyone involved has the time of their life like I did, raises loads of money for UNICEF and that the best side wins.”
Tim Lovejoy and Louise Redknapp will bring all the action from the sidelines while pundits and special studio guests will deliver their live analysis of the beautiful game.
Each squad comprises eleven celebrities and five world cup greats. With less than a week for the players to train and bond before the big game, the pressure is on to get match fit and performance ready.
Soccer Aid is raising funds for UNICEF’s health, education and protection work with vulnerable children all over the world. UNICEF helps children to survive and thrive in more than 190 countries worldwide, working with partners to provide emergency support and long-term development solutions. UNICEF is funded entirely by voluntary contributions.
