A star‑studded charity football match is set to light up the summer, as Soccer Aid 2026 brings together a roster of celebrities from sport, film and music to raise funds for UNICEF.
The game will be broadcast live for free on YouTube across the globe and on ITVX in the United Kingdom, kicking off at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time on May 31, which translates to 6:30 p.m. British Summer Time, and will be staged at West Ham’s London Stadium.
Among the participants are former internationals such as Dimitar Berbatov and Clarence Seedorf, actors like Tom Hiddleston and Usain Bolt, and musicians including Robbie Williams, who will also serve as a manager for one of the sides, while names such as Jaap Stam, Ben Shephard, Zinedine Zidane, Damian Lewis, Olly Murs, Wayne Rooney, Michael Essien, Owen Cooper, Paddy McGuinness, Joe Hart, Shaun Wright‑Phillips, Theo Walcott, Alex Brooker, Jill Scott, Jermain Defoe, Barry, Damson Idris, Sam Thompson, Tom Grennan, Jordan North, Angry Ginge, Steph Houghton, Toni Duggan, Edwin van der Sar, Lukas Podolski, Chris O'Dowd, Jordi Alba, Ali Krieger, Jen Beattie, Leonardo Bonucci, Simon Neil, Richard Gadd, Maisie Adam, Nikolaj Coster‑Waldau, Harry Aikines‑Aryeetey, Big Zuu and many others are expected to take part.
The match will feature the Adidas Trionda ball, a new design that promises a fresh visual experience for viewers, and fans anywhere in the world can bypass regional restrictions with a VPN to watch the free stream.
A Global Stage, A Local Pitch
The event will be staged at West Ham’s London Stadium, a venue that has previously hosted major football finals, adding a historic backdrop to the charity spectacle.
Organisers have assembled a diverse line‑up that includes former Premier League stars, Olympic athletes and even reality‑TV personalities, creating a unique blend of entertainment and sport that spans generations and continents.
With a schedule that spans multiple time zones, the broadcast aims to maximise viewership while keeping the experience accessible, encouraging audiences to tune in from their living rooms, wherever they may be, and to use a VPN if they are located outside the supported regions.
Funding the Future
All proceeds will go to UNICEF, the United Nations agency that works on child health, education and protection in more than 190 countries, and the charity hopes the money will support emergency response programmes and long‑term projects that improve the lives of children affected by conflict and disease.
As the countdown to May 31 continues, the excitement builds not only for the spectacle of celebrity football but also for the tangible impact the event will have on vulnerable communities worldwide.