Tyson Fury and Robbie Williams in the dugout, Paddy McGuinness in goal and Steph Houghton being wiped out by Italian legend Leonardo Bonucci – it can only happen in one game and that is Soccer Aid. The 2025 edition of the football charity match took place on the 15th of June. In this article, we will take a look at what happened and provide the lowdown on Soccer Aid in general for those unfamiliar with it.
What Is Soccer Aid?
Soccer Aid is, as stated, a charity football match that sees a representative England XI battle against a Soccer Aid World XI (this was previously known as a Rest of the World Team). It was founded in 2006 by singer Robbie Williams and his longtime friend, the TV presenter and fellow Stokeite, Jonathan Wilkes.
The game was originally scheduled to be played every two years but since 2018 has been contested annually. Since 2019 it has seen men and women compete on the same team (and against each other) and is notable as the only time the FA sanctions such matches among adults.
Over the years it has raised over £120m for its designated charity, UNICEF UK, with funds raised through ticket sales, donations from the public and the television rights to broadcast the game. It is well established as a regular fixture and part of the post-season football calendar and for many celebs is a great way for them to give back, whilst simultaneously fulfilling their dreams of being a footballer. That said, there is a wide range of skill and ability levels on show and it is clear that some have not kicked a ball in a long time, adding to the comedy of the occasion.
Who Plays?
Both teams feature a surprisingly good standard of celebrity, be that in the shape of exceptional former players or genuinely well-known faces from TV, music, other sports and beyond. Soccer Aid looks like a fun day out to be involved in, boasts a high profile and for both retired players and wannabe footballers, offers the chance to experience the thrill and adrenaline of playing in front of a large crowd.
The first edition of Soccer Aid saw Ronnie O’Sullivan among the home celebs, supported by former players including David Seaman, Gazza, Tony Adams, Bryan Robson and John Barnes. The World XI featured Gordon Ramsey, rugby legend David Campese, plus football gods such as Gianfranco Zola, Lothar Matthaus, Peter Schmeichel and, perhaps the greatest ever Soccer Aid name, a certain Diego Maradona!
Over the years the calibre of players has been incredible, especially among former footballers, but with a smattering of A-list celebrities too. Alan Shearer, Brian Lara, Luis Figo, Ricky Hatton, James Corden, Mike Myers, Joe Calzaghe, Woody Harrelson, Ryan Giggs, Zinedine Zidane, Will Ferrell, Edward Norton, Jaap Stam, Roy Keane, Clarence Seedorf and Martin Compston are just some of the huge names to have been involved in the earlier years of Soccer Aid.
More recently the following have also all either played, coached, or sometimes both: Edgar Davids, Alessandro Del Piero, Andriy Shevchenko, Jose Mourinho, Robbie Fowler, Sol Campbell, AP McCoy, Ronaldinho, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Niall Horan, Mo Farah, Freddie Flintoff, Michael Owen, Usain Bolt, Eric Cantona, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Piers Morgan, Wayne Rooney, Claude Makelele, Paul Scholes, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Roberto Carlos, Liam Payne, Emma Hayes, Arsene Wenger, Idris Elba, Jill Scott, Stormzy, Francesco Totti, Mel C, Stuart Broad, Danny Dyer, Ellen White, Tony Bellew, Eden Hazard, Rivaldo and Carlos Tevez.
That is a long list of names but we have only scratched the surface really and it is quite astonishing the calibre of player/sports star/celebrity this event can attract.
Where Is Soccer Aid Played and Which Team Usually Wins?
CHAMPIONS AGAIN! 🌎
THE WORLD XI WIN SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF 2025 AFTER A HUGE COMEBACK! 😅@Primark | @EASFCMOBILE | @adidasUK | @tomdotcodotuk | @SuzukiCarsUK pic.twitter.com/pfw6HN3k6B
— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) June 15, 2025
The first big clash was held at Old Trafford, as the home team chalked up a 2-1 victory in front of a really impressive crowd of almost 72,000. Two years later Wembley played host, whilst Stamford Bridge, the Etihad and the London Stadium have also been used. However, it is Old Trafford that is “home” really, having held Soccer Aid nine times, including in 2025, when a record 74,000 attendance was recorded.
As the title of this article states, the World XI won the most recent clash. Overall things have been very even though. Following the 2025 fixture, the World XI now boast a lead of eight wins to six.
Soccer Aid 2025
Soccer Aid 2025 raised around £15m for UNICEF and was a thrilling edition of the famous extravaganza. The hosts included big names such as One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, Mo Farah and Denise Lewis, with Rooney acting as player/coach, a managerial team that included Tyson Fury, Vicky McClure and Harry Redknapp, and former England stars Joe Hart, Phil Jagielka, Gary Neville and Michael Carrick, among others.
They came up against a World XI where Robbie Keane was player/coach (and manager!), Schmeichel and Emmet J Scanlan were among the managers, and Rivaldo, Tevez, Harry Kewell and Edwin van der Sar played, with Nemanja Vidic as skipper. The number of former Man United and Man City stars involved helped get a huge crowd through the gate at Old Trafford and it was a man who played for both giants that stole the show. England took a 2-0 lead into the break, with Rooney scoring the quickest goal in the history of this fixture after just four minutes.
Toni Duggan made it 2-0 and not long after the restart, Jermain Defoe made it 3-0. However, Tevez, who controversially left United for City, came on at the break and was roundly booed, though not with any real venom. The Argentine had the last laugh though, quickly bagging four goals, with England’s keeper, Paddy McGuinness having a bit of a ‘mare.
Defoe had netted a second and the game was heading towards full time locked at 4-4, until one player made a big impact. With time running out, Big Zuu scored the winner and promptly produced a big “siuuu” celebration. The rapper-cum-chef had been doing punditry until the interval but predicted he would score. He came on and delivered on his promise to win the game for the World XI.