Jill Scott will return to the pitch for the first time since retirement and make history when captaining England at Soccer Aid this summer.
Scott, 36, is set to become the first female player to wear the armband for the home side in ITV ’s all-star charity game, which this year returns to its' original home of Old Trafford. Her former Lionesses teammate Karen Carney is set to make her Soccer Aid debut the same night on June 11, while Chelsea boss Emma Hayes will be on the coaching staff as co-manager.
Scott retired following last summers' European Championship win and has since consistently featured in the media, winning the 2022 series of I'm A Celebrity: Get Me Out Of Here. Scott said: “The Euros, The Jungle and now Soccer Aid for UNICEF – it’s the holy trinity!
"I’ve won two of them, so just need Soccer Aid now to complete ‘The Treble’! I think of all three, this might be the one I’m most nervous about, though – just look at the names involved! Buy a ticket, support this amazing cause and cheer us on!"
The Sunderland-born midfielder played for the Lionesses 161 times, with her final cap coming when she appeared as a substitute in the Euros final win over Germany at Wembley. She has recently been linked to a coaching role at the academy of former club Man City.
But she will be back playing in front of supporters for the UNICEF Charity match this summer, that sees a combined Rest of the World team face England, with both XI's made up of former players and celebrities. Scott will also reunite on the pitch, not only with Carney, but also former Lionesses' forward Eni Aluko. Aluko is also of the member of the 100-cap club having retired back in 2020 from professional football.
They will be joined by the likes of Paddy McGuinness, David James, Jermain Defoe, Joel Corry, Gary Cahill, Jack Wilshere, Bugzy Malone, Tom Grennan, Sir Mo Farah, Alex Brooker, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes. England last won the event in 2018, when Old Trafford last hosted the fixture in front of supporters.
UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams said: "I’m so proud that Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised over £75 million since we started it 17-years-ago. It’s an incredible achievement that will help UNICEF ensure children around the world get the best start in life.
"But we can’t stop there! Right now, childhoods are being turned upside down by conflict and crisis. We’d like as many people as possible to buy a ticket to this year’s star-studded match and help protect play for every child."
Confirmed Soccer Aid participants
Soccer Aid World XI FC: Usain Bolt (Captain), Robbie Keane (Coach), Lee Mack, Steven Bartlett and Kem Cetinay.
England: Emma Hayes (Co-Manager), Vicky McClure (Co-Manager), Jill Scott (Captain), Paddy McGuinness (Celebrity Goalkeeper), David James (Professional Goalkeeper), Jermain Defoe, Joel Corry, Karen Carney, Gary Cahill, Jack Wilshere, Bugzy Malone, Tom Grennan, Sir Mo Farah, Alex Brooker, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Eni Aluko and Chunkz.
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