Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
John Jones

Soccer Aid 2023 line-ups in full as Wrexham star makes debut in charity match

Soccer Aid is back for 2023 with the 12th instalment of the charity match taking place at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The venture, which was launched back in 2006, was the brainchild of singer Robbie Williams and brings together footballing legends and a host of famous faces to raise money for Unicef.

Last year's game raised a record-breaking £15.6million, with a Rest of the World XI beating the England XI in a penalty shootout to lift the trophy.

There will be plenty of faces familiar to the Soccer Aid audience back again for this weekend's game, with celebrities including Usain Bolt, Paddy McGuinness and Chunkz all taking part several times before, along with returning legends Paul Scholes, Roberto Carlos and others.

However, some of those involved will be taking part for the first time, with Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster among the debutants. He'll be joined on the Rest of the World team by more new faces including UFC star Leon Edwards and comedian Maisie Adam, while those making their debut for England include former EastEnders star Danny Dyer, Hollywood actor Tom Hiddleston and rapper Bugzy Malone.

Here's everything you need to know about this year's line-ups.

Who are the managers?

England have a five-strong management team made up of famous faces from the world of football and beyond. Grime artist Stormzy is the Three Lions boss this year, with the 29-year-old assisted by former Spurs and Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp and Chelsea Women boss Emma Hayes. They are joined in the dugout by Line of Duty star Vicky McClure and ex-Arsenal and England goalkeeper David Seaman.

Meanwhile, the Rest of the World will be managed by new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, with ex-Ireland striker Robbie Keane also providing his expertise. Scottish actor and McClure's co-star Martin Compston and Spice Girl Mel C complete the managerial line-up.

Who are the captains?

England will be captained by former Lionesses star and last year's Queen of the I'm a Celebrity jungle, Jill Scott. The 36-year-old, who retired last year after winning the European Championship with England, is the first female player in the history of Soccer Aid to wear the armband.

Meanwhile, the Rest of the World team will once again be led by retired sprinter Usain Bolt, who is making his fifth appearance at Soccer Aid. The eight-time Olympic gold medallist, who played for Australian professional side Central Coast Mariners after retiring from athletics, lifted the trophy alongside Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko at the London Stadium last year.

The full line-ups

England squad: Jill Scott (captain), David James, Paddy McGuinness, 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, Liam Payne, Danny Dyer, Asa Butterfield and Tom Hiddleston.

England managers: Stormzy, Harry Redknapp, Emma Hayes, Vicky McClure and David Seaman

Rest of World squad: Usain Bolt (captain), Ben Foster, Patrice Evra, Nani, Maisie Adam, Kaylyn Kyle, Heather O’Reilly, Mo Gilligan, Lee Mack, Steven Bartlett, Kem Cetinay, Noah Beck, Tommy Fury, Roberto Carlos, Francesco Totti, Gabriel Batistuta, Leon Edwards, Sam Claflin, Hernan Crespo, Niko Omilana

Rest of World managers: Mauricio Pochettino, Martin Compston, Robbie Keane and Melanie C

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.