Soccer Aid 2026: Will you be watching this weekend?

One of the country's biggest charity sporting events and celebrity football matches is returning this weekend.

Soccer Aid is back on Sunday evening, with a whole host of big names ready to take to the pitch - including Nitro from Gladiators and YouTuber Angry Ginge.

The event takes place every year, raising lots of money for children's charity, Unicef.

This year is a big one as it's Soccer Aid's 20th anniversary.

But what is Soccer Aid and who's taking part this year? Keep reading to find out.

Which team will you be supporting this year? Let us know in the comments below.

Soccer Aid has been raising money every year since 2006, with what it calls the "world's biggest celebrity football match".

In the game, a team of celebrities and former footballers from England combine to take on another team of stars and former footballers who represent a 'Rest of the World' team.

The money raised is for the charity Unicef, which supports projects helping children around the world.

So far, the matches have raised more than £120m in total, including more than £15m at last year's event.

Plenty of big names and former footballing stars are gearing up for this year's Soccer Aid.

Acting legends Tom Hiddleston and Danny Dyer will be appearing for the England squad.

YouTuber Angry Ginge - real name Morgan Burtwistle - was crowned man of the match in 2025, and will return to the pitch for the second year running.

Other names include former Lionesses Jill Scott and Toni Duggan as well as England legend Wayne Rooney.

Among the celebs taking part for the first time are former rugby player Joe Marler and Capital Breakfast's Jordan North.

Also taking part is 16-year-old actor Owen Cooper, the youngest player ever to participate in the charity event, Paddy McGuinness, singers Olly Murs and Tom Grennan and reality TV star Sam Thompson.

And music star Robbie Williams, who co-founded Soccer Aid, will be part of this year's England management team. He'll also be performing in the half-time show!

The charity match will see the England team of former pros and celebrities take on a World XI opposition.

Managing the team this year is legendary sprinter Usain Bolt. The Olympic legend has previously played, and scored, in Soccer Aid.

Appearing for the first time is Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka Nitro from Gladiators and Irish actor and comedian Chris O'Dowd.

Stars returning to play for the World XI FC team include comedian Maisie Adam, rapper Big Zuu, actor Richard Gadd and The Last Leg's Alex Brooker.

Musicians will also be taking to the pitch, including lead singer and guitarist of Biffy Clyro - Simon Neil - and Nicky Byrne from pop-group Westlife.

The charity match between England and the World team will take place on Sunday 31 May at West Ham's ground, the London Stadium.

The commentary will be led by Sam Matterface, who voices the England games on ITV.

Kick off is at 6.30pm but coverage will start from 5pm.

Presenter Dermot O'Leary will host this year's show, alongside former England star Alex Scott.

Last year saw a thrilling match, with the World XI team come back from being three goals down, to win the game 5-4.

Rapper and TV star Big Zuu scored the winning goal for the World XI team, after netting his first Soccer Aid goal with just five minutes of the match remaining.

The result means that since the games began in 2006, England have won six times - while the Soccer Aid World XI FC have won eight.

Will you be watching? Which team or player are you rooting for and why? Let us know in the comments...