SoccerAid 2026 kick off time moved as ITV confirms full staff line-ups earlier than match
Soccer Aid 2026 is back, with the beloved UNICEF charity match celebrating its 20th anniversary at the London Stadium on Sunday, May 31, but ITV have decided to move the kick-off time one hour earlier
Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott are on hosting duties for ITV’s SoccerAid this evening
Soccer Aid has returned for 2026, marking its 20th anniversary this year. Now, the full details of when kick-off for this year’s charity match have been unveiled.
Established by Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes in 2006, the event brings together a plethora of celebrities and ex-professional footballers as an England team squares off against a ‘World XI’ squad in a packed stadium. Initially held every two years, it has been an annual event since 2018, raising over £120 million for UNICEF UK since its launch.
Over time, some football greats have participated, with Diego Maradona, Paul Gascoigne, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho among those who have taken part. Big Hollywood names like Woody Harrelson, Mike Myers and Will Ferrell have also laced up their boots in the past, as have sporting legends such as Sir Mo Farah, Usain Bolt and Brian Lara.
Now, following a week of anniversary festivities, it’s time to gear up for another intense match. This year’s game set to be held at the London Stadium, home of West Ham United, according to Wales Online.
Familiar faces like Paddy McGuinness and Olly Murs will be donning the England kit once more. But they’ll be bolstered by new recruits including Adolescence star Owen Cooper, former rugby international Joe Marler and ex-Love Island participant Chloe Burrows.
For the World XI, regular squad members Nicky Byrne, Maisie Adam and Dermot Kennedy will be making a return. However, they will be joined by the likes of actor Chris O’Dowd, Biffy Clyro lead singer Simon Neil and YouTuber Behzinga.
Here’s all the information you need to tune into this year’s match, including TV channel and live stream details as well as the full lineups.
Soccer Aid 2026 kick-off time
This year’s Soccer Aid will commence at 6.30pm on Sunday, May 31 at the London Stadium. The start time has been brought forward an hour, having previously begun at 7.30pm in recent years.
Live TV coverage will start on ITV1 at 5.30pm. The match will also be available for free streaming on the ITVX website and app, as well as ITV’s YouTube channel.
Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott are once again taking on the hosting responsibilities for ITV’s coverage of the major charity match.
England team:
Celebrities: Alex Brooker, Angry Ginge, Big Zuu, Chloe Burrows, Damson Idris, GK Barry, Jack Whitehall, Joe Marler, Jordan North, Olly Murs, Owen Cooper, Paddy McGuinness, Robbie Williams, Sam Thompson, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Grennan
Ex-pros: Jermain Defoe, Jill Scott, Jack Wilshere, Joe Hart, Steph Houghton, Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney
World XI team:
Celebrities: Behzinga, Chris O’Dowd, Dermot Kennedy, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Maisie Adam, Nabhaan Rizwan, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Nicky Byrne, Richard Gadd, Simon Neil
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