The football charity event is back for another match between England and the Rest of the World \u2013\u00a0here’s who is lining up. <\/p>
The annual battle between teams from England and the Rest of the World has become an essential part of the football calendar \u2013 and Soccer Aid<\/a> returns this weekend for what\u2019s sure to be another highly entertaining clash in the name of charity.<\/p>\n Both sides feature a blend of returning faces and some Soccer Aid debutants, with all sorts of exciting names in the mix including some legends of the game and an eclectic assortment of celebrities.<\/p>\n The previous three encounters have all gone to penalties (and rather predictably England have lost two shoot-outs on the bounce) so expect this to be another close tie. Read on for everything you need to know about who will be lining up for each side.<\/p>\n The former English national team manager \u2013 who led the side at two World Cups and one European Championships \u2013 will be taking the managerial reigns this time out. The Swede will be assisted by popstar and Soccer Aid stalwart Robbie Williams, former Manchester City defended and popular pundit Micah Richards and ex-Arsenal and England Goalkeeper David Seaman.<\/p>\n Since making his Soccer Aid debut in 2010, former X Factor contestant Murs has been a regular fixture in the England side \u2013 and this year he\u2019ll be captaining the team for the third time.<\/p>\n England and Manchester United\u2019s record goalscorer managed the England side at last year\u2019s Soccer Aid, but this time he\u2019ll be taking to the pitch for the first time \u2013\u00a0 can he add to his impressive tally of career goals.<\/p> Another X-Factor alumni, the singer is among the England debutants for this year\u2019s event \u2013 can he help stop the losing run?<\/p>\n The Manchester United legend won 66 caps for England before prematurely retiring from international duty in 2004 \u2013 but will be pulling on the Three Lions shirt once again in his Soccer Aid debut.<\/p>\n Another Soccer Aid debutant, the former Manchester United captain is following in the footsteps of brother Phil by playing in the match. Since he retied from playing in 2011 he\u2019s become one of the most prominent pundits in the sport \u2013 but can he do the talking on the pitch?<\/p>\n McGuiness has recently started as the new host of long-running BBC sports quiz A Question of Sport<\/a>, but he\u2019ll have a more practical sporting role in Soccer Aid \u2013 making his seventh appearance in the England side.<\/p>\n The former Liverpool and England midfielder is a veteran of Soccer Aid \u2013 and he\u2019ll be looking to get one over his dad Harry, who is managing the Rest of the World XI for the fourth time this year.<\/p>\n The popular YouTuber made his Soccer Aid debut in 2020, and this time around he\u2019ll be hoping to make amends for his decisive penalty miss in last year\u2019s shoutout.<\/p>\n Another first-timer in the England Soccer Aid squad, Williams managed an impressive 172 caps and 40 goals for her country in an illustrious playing career that saw her turn out for Everton, Liverpool, Arsenal and Reading.<\/p>\n The TOWIE star has been a common feature of Soccer Aid down the years \u2013 and will be looking to repeat the heroics of 2016, when he scored a stunning free-kick and picked up the Man of the Match award.<\/p>\n A five-time world record holder and former freestyle world champion, Cooke will be making her debut at this year\u2019s Soccer Aid having been forced to pull out with an injury last time \u2013 let\u2019s hope it\u2019s been worth the wait.<\/p>\n The former England and Arsenal striker will be making her second successive Soccer Aid appearance, and given her standing as the record goalscorer for England she\u2019s a good bet to net a goal or two.<\/p>\n The former Liverpool and Portsmouth goalkeeper made his Soccer Aid debut between the sticks in 2020 and looks set to be England\u2019s starting goalie again this time around.<\/p>\n The Manchester-born rapper will be making his first Soccer Aid appearance \u2013 and at 21 years old he\u2019s the youngest member of the England squad.<\/p>\n Fresh from winning his third Olympic Gold at the Tokyo games this Summer, Whitlock will be taking to the football pitch for his Soccer Aid debut \u2013 but is he as effective on a football field as he is on a pommel horse?<\/p>\n The Liverpool legend and pundit will be making his fourth Soccer Aid performance this year. He\u2019s got one win and two losses to his name so far, and will no doubt be hoping to redress the balance this time.<\/p>\n The Masked Singer presenter made his Soccer Aid debut in the 2020 match, and will be aiming to record his first victory at the second time of asking.<\/p>\n The legendary long-distance runner captained the England side in 2019 and will be lining up for his third time this year \u2013 but can he add another Soccer Aid medal to his four Olympic golds?<\/p>\n The popular stand-up and Would I Lie To You team captain missed a penalty in the shootout last year, and will be taking to the field for his fourth consecutive Soccer Aid this time around.<\/p>\n The former Manchester City winger is another ex-pro to be getting their first taste of Soccer Aid at this year\u2019s match.<\/p>\n Singer Bay was a first-timer last time out \u2013 but his penalty goal in the decisive shoot-out wasn\u2019t quite enough to deliver England a victory in his debut.<\/p>\n Redknapp might be one of the best-known English managers of his generation, but he\u2019s been a regular coach of the Rest of the World XI at Soccer Aid \u2013 and will be taking to the touchline for the fourth time in a row this year. His assistants will be tennis coach Judy Murray and former Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane.<\/p>\n The world\u2019s fastest man has never hidden his love for the beautiful game \u2013 even attempting to make it as a pro after finishing his athletics career \u2013 and will be returning to skipper the Rest of the World team for the third time after sitting out last year\u2019s match.<\/p>\n Little Bit of Love singer-songwriter Grennan will be making his Soccer Aid debut this year \u2013 qualifying for the Rest of the World team due to his Irish heritage.<\/p>\n Capital FM breakfast presenter and former I\u2019m A Celebrity<\/a>\u2026Get Me Out of Here! qualifies for the Rest of the World team thanks to being born in LA \u2013 and will be lining up for his third successive Soccer Aid.<\/p>\n Former Love Island star Kem Cetinay has acquitted himself well in his two previous Soccer Aid appearances \u2013 scoring from the spot in two successive penalty shoot-outs. He qualifies for the Rest of the World team due to his Turkish heritage.<\/p>\n Former Strictly champ Oduba was the substitute goalie for the Rest of the World last year, and looks set to deputise for Shay Given once again this time around. He qualifies for the Rest of the World team due to his Nigerian heritage.<\/p>\n Considered one of the greatest full-backs of all time, the World Cup-winning Brazilian and Real Madrid legend returns to the Soccer Aid fold for the second time after sitting out last year\u2019s match.<\/p>\n Another talented full-back, former France international Evra was a mainstay of the Manchester United side between 2006 and 2014, and has since moved into punditry (not to mention bizarre Instagram videos). He will be making his second consecutive Soocer Aid appearance.<\/p>\n The former Manchester City and Netherlands midfielder will be making his first Soccer Aid appearance this year \u2013 following in the footsteps of fellow Dutchmen such as Clarence Seedorf and Jaap Stam.<\/p>\n The Line of Duty star will be hoping to stay on the pitch for longer than he appeared in the ongoing TV drama Vigil<\/a>. The Scotsman will be making his fourth appearance for the Rest of the World Team.<\/p>\n Ex-Argentina International Zabaleta was a stalwart of Manchester City\u2019s defence between 2008 and 2017, but this will be his first time taking to the field for Soccer Aid.<\/p>\n The singer-songwriter and TV presenter has a great deal of footballing experience compared to many of the other participants \u2013 having played professionally for Everton,\u00a0Tottenham Hotspur,\u00a0Tranmere Rovers\u00a0and\u00a0Fulham, in addition to current club Merseyrail Ladies FC. She made her Soccer Aid debit in 2020.<\/p>\n Irish goalie will be between the sticks for the second year in a row \u2013 and will be hoping to recreate the form that made him such a reliable Premier League keeper for the likes of Newcastle United, Manchester City and Aston Villa.<\/p>\n Another real legend of the game, Rivaldo won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and lined up for a host of massive club sides in his career, most notably including a five-year stint at Barcelona. This will be his first experience of Soccer Aid \u2013 and he\u2019ll no doubt be looking to get his name on the scoresheet.<\/p>\n The Irish singer-songwriter had a very impressive Soccer Aid debut last year \u2013 netting a penalty in the shoot-out and being named Man of the Match. Can he repeat his performance this year?<\/p>\n Parents singer Yungblud \u2013 who is representing the Rest of the World due to his American heritage \u2013 is another Soccer Aid debutant.<\/p>\n Another first-timer, the rapper and Big Zuu\u2019s Big Eats presenter qualifies for the Rest of the World as his mother is from Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n The lead commentator for this year\u2019s event has not been revealed \u2013 but it\u2019s possible that Clive Tyldsley might be replaced after the veteran commentator came under fire for comments made during last year\u2019s event<\/a>. We\u2019ll let you know when we hear any more information.<\/p>\n Dermot O\u2019Leary hosts the event \u2013 as he has done since 2010 \u2013\u00a0 and this year he\u2019s joined by a Soccer Aid debutant in the shape of popular pundit Alex Scott, who will be reporting from the touchline throughout the evening.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, TV and radio presenter Maya Jama will be returning as a pundit, after proving hugely popular with viewers in her first appearance last year.<\/p>\nSoccer Aid team line-ups 2021<\/h2>\n
England Soccer Aid team line-up<\/h3>\n
Sven Goran Eriksen (Manager)<\/h4>\n
Olly Murs (Popstar)<\/h4>\n
Wayne Rooney (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
James Arthur (Popstar)<\/h4>\n
Paul Scholes (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Gary Neville (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Paddy McGuiness (TV presenter)<\/h4>\n
Jamie Redknapp (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Chunkz (YouTuber)<\/h4>\n
Fara Williams (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Mark Wright (Reality TV star)<\/h4>\n
Liv Cooke (Football freestyler)<\/h4>\n
Kelly Smith (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
David James (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Aitch (Rapper)<\/h4>\n
Max Whitlock (Olympic gymnast)<\/h4>\n
Jamie Carragher (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Joel Dommett (Comedian and presenter)<\/h4>\n
Sir Mo Farah (Olympic runner)<\/h4>\n
Lee Mack (Comedian)<\/h4>\n
Shaun Wright-Phillips (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
James Bay (Singer)<\/h4>\n
Rest of the World Soccer Aid team line-up<\/h3>\n
Harry Redknapp (Manager)<\/h4>\n
Usain Bolt (Olympic sprinter)<\/h4>\n
Tom Grennan (Popstar)<\/h4>\n
Roman Kemp (Capital FM presenter)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Kem Cetinay (Reality TV star)<\/h4>\n
Ore Oduba (Radio and TV presenter)<\/h4>\n
Roberto Carlos (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Patrice Evra (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Nigel De Jong (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Martin Compston (Actor)<\/h4>\n
Pablo Zabaleta (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Chelcee Grimes (Popstar)<\/h4>\n
Shay Given (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Rivaldo (Ex-pro)<\/h4>\n
Dermot Kennedy (Popstar)<\/h4>\n
Yungblud (Popstar)<\/h4>\n
Big Zuu (Rapper)<\/h4>\n
Soccer Aid 2021 commentators<\/h2>\n
Soccer Aid 2021 presenters<\/h2>\n