Soccer Aid 2019: First names on the all star line up revealed

Soccer Aid for Unicef is back for 2019 and the first names on the all star line up revealed.

The annual charity football match, starring celebrity and ex-professional footballers, takes place at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge on Sunday 16th June 2019.

Tickets to watch the match are available now from www.socceraid.org.uk/tickets/ while the event will air on TV on ITV.

Soccer Aid for Unicef 2019 will see an England team, managed by Sam Allardyce, face off against Soccer Aid World XI, managed by Harry Redknapp.

Both Sam and Harry will get a helping hand in the form of Good Morning Britain presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid. Piers will join Harry while Susanna will work with Sam.

Leading the line-up for the Soccer Aid World XI team is Chelsea FC legend Didier Drogba, who will be returning to Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2015. He’ll be joined by Usain Bolt.

Team England is confirmed to include Jamie Redknapp, Mark Wright, Ben Shephard and Joe Wicks.

More names will be confirmed in due course.

With this year’s Soccer Aid for Unicef match falling on Father’s Day, father-son duo Harry and Jamie Redknapp have marked the occasion, and celebrated the importance of childhood play in all of our lives, by releasing a #ThenandNow picture of themselves.

Jamie Redknapp said: “Even though we’re on opposite teams, it’s an honour to be able to play against my dad in Soccer Aid for Unicef this Father’s Day.

“Some of my best memories of my childhood are playing with my dad and being with him at the football, and it’s an incredible feeling to know we’re making more playtime possible for kids around the world by getting together for this special game.”

Soccer Aid for Unicef co-founder and Unicef UK Ambassador Robbie Williams has spoken of the importance of protecting all children’s right to play this Father’s Day.

Robbie Williams said: “The ability to play is one of the most important things in any child’s life. It’s how they make friends, how they learn who they are and about the world around them, it’s so vital.

“I’ve seen first-hand the important work Unicef does around the world helping to make sure every child can have a happy, healthy and safe childhood, to be able to play like all children should. I dread to think what my children would be like without play, they’re so bright and happy and its absolutely everything to them.

“I hope everyone gets involved this summer with Soccer Aid for Unicef, we can all play our part to help kids around the world just be kids.”

Long-term Soccer Aid for Unicef supporter and show host Dermot O’Leary said: “I’ve been so lucky to see some of the work made possible by Soccer Aid for Unicef, helping children in really tough situations be able to just be children again.

“The game is going to be incredible this year, we’ve got a massive line-up, we’re back in London for the first time in 10 years, sadly not at my beloved Arsenal (the Kings of London) and Drogba is playing, which has already brought back nightmares.

“Whoever you support, it’s going to be one hell of a night at Stamford Bridge, and the money we raise really will make a huge difference to kids everywhere. What better reason to get involved than that?”

As part of the Soccer Aid campaign, Unicef UK is calling on the nation to help raise funds for children by playing in The Great Big Kickabout between 14th to 16th June.

100% of all public donations to Soccer Aid for Unicef will go towards supporting the vital work protecting children in the UK and globally. The money raised through profits from ticket sales and viewer donations during the match will add to the incredible £30 million that has already been raised through Soccer Aid for Unicef since its inception.

You can visit www.socceraid.org.uk to find out more.