Soccer Aid kick-off moved as ITV start time and full celebrity line-up confirmed | Football | Sport
Jack Wilshere, Toni Duggan and Michael Carrick played at last year’s Soccer Aid (Image: Getty Images)
Soccer Aid returns in 2026, with the beloved charity fixture marking its 20th anniversary this year. Established by Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes in 2006, the event brings together a host of celebrities and former professional footballers as an England side squares off against a ‘World XI’ team before a capacity crowd. Originally staged every two years, it has been held annually since 2018, raising over £120 million for UNICEF UK since it first kicked off.
Throughout its history, some true legends of the game have graced the occasion, with Diego Maradona, Paul Gascoigne, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho among those to have pulled on their boots. Major Hollywood names such as Woody Harrelson, Mike Myers and Will Ferrell have also featured in previous editions, alongside sporting giants including Sir Mo Farah, Usain Bolt and Brian Lara. Now, following a week of anniversary festivities, the eagerly anticipated match is set to take place at the London Stadium, home of West Ham United.
Familiar favourites Paddy McGuinness and Olly Murs will once again represent England, bolstered by exciting new additions including Adolescence star Owen Cooper, former rugby international Joe Marler and ex-Love Island contestant Chloe Burrows.
For the World XI, returning stalwarts Nicky Byrne, Maisie Adam and Dermot Kennedy will be joined by the likes of actor Chris O’Dowd, Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil and YouTuber Behzinga. Here is everything you need to know ahead of this year’s fixture, from TV channel and live stream details to the full lineups.
Soccer Aid 2026 kick-off time moved
This year’s Soccer Aid will kick off at 6.30pm on Sunday, May 31 at the London Stadium. The start time has been brought forward by an hour, having previously got underway at 7.30pm in recent years.
Live television coverage will commence on ITV1 at 5.30pm. The match will also be available to stream for free via the ITVX website and app, as well as ITV’s YouTube channel.
Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott will once again front ITV’s coverage of the popular charity fixture.
Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott are on hosting duties for ITV (Image: Getty)
England team
Celebrities: Alex Brooker, Angry Ginge, Big Zuu, Chloe Burrows, Damson Idris, GK Barry, Jack Whitehall, Joe Marler, Jordan North, Olly Murs, Owen Cooper, Paddy McGuinness, Robbie Williams, Sam Thompson, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Grennan
Ex-pros: Jermain Defoe, Jill Scott, Jack Wilshere, Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney, Joleon Lescott, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Toni Duggan, Jade Moore
World XI team
Celebrities: Behzinga, Chris O’Dowd, Dermot Kennedy, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Maisie Adam, Nabhaan Rizwan, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Nicky Byrne, Richard Gadd, Simon Neil
Ex-pros: Jordi Alba, Leonardo Bonucci, Lukas Podolski, Michael Essien, Tim Cahill, Dimitar Berbatov, Nemanja Matic, Ali Krieger, Edwin van der Sar, Jen Beattie
