What is Soccer Aid? Results, winners, biggest celebrities from history of charity match | Sporting News (2024)

When late Argentina idol Diego Maradona scored in the first ever Soccer Aid, it set the tone for a star-filled event that has produced a succession of memorable matches.

The teams involved have only been separated by more than two goals on one occasion, with five of the 12 games decided by penalties.

One of those came in 2022, when both teams took the lead in a 2-2 draw that began with four-time Premier League winner Petr Cech in goal for the Rest of World side and one of the greatest managers of all time, Arsene Wenger, guiding them.

Here's what you need to know about previous Soccer Aid results, some of the billboard names to have taken part and where it's been held.

MORE: When is Soccer Aid 2023?

What is Soccer Aid?

Co-founded by pop star and Port Vale fan Robbie Williams in 2006, Soccer Aid centres on a football match inviting two squads of household names to face each other in a match.

It took place every two years until 2018, when its enduring success saw it become an annual event, making even more money for charity.

Soccer Aid is held for UNICEF, which protects and supports children around the world. Organisers say the game has raised more than ÂŁ75 million ($94.3m) for the charity, as well as raising awareness with the help of high-profile names calling on the public to donate.

Sir Mo doing Sir Mo things đź‘Ź@statsports || @Mo_Farah pic.twitter.com/2tBBRrT6cy

— Soccer Aid (@socceraid) June 11, 2023

What happened at Soccer Aid 2023?

Soccer Aid 2023 was an entertaining encounter at Old Trafford, where the Rest of the World side edged a six-goal thriller 4-2.

A double from former Tottenham and Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane helped secure a comeback victory and a fifth win on the bounce for the World XI.

England were 2-1 up early in the second half after goals from actor Asa Butterfield and Manchester United hero Paul Scholes had eclipsed sprint legend Usain Bolt's 26th-minute opener.

Kemal Cetinay, a former Love Island contestant, sealed the result with a fine solo run and finish, somehow leaving Olympic champion Mo Farah in his wake to score his fifth goal in the showpiece fixture.

Soccer Aid list of winners

On the pitch, the Rest of the World team has won seven times to the England team's five victories, although the hosts had been well ahead before their opponents' current run of five straight triumphs.

England won five of the first seven meetings, and no game produced fewer than three goals before a 1-1 draw in 2020, whenWayne Rooney, Sam Allardyce and Bradley Walsh's Three Lions lost 4-3 on penalties.

YearWinnersEngland scorersRoW scorersAttendance
2006England(2-1)Les Ferdinand, Jonathan WilkesDiego Maradona71,960
2008England (4-3)Teddy Sheringham, Alan Shearer (2),WilkesPaolo Di Canio, Gilles Marini45,000
2010RoW (2-2; 7-6 pens)Jamie Redknapp, SheringhamJoe Calzaghe, Sami Hyypia65,493
2012England (3-1)Sheringham, Wilkes, Kevin PhillipsSerge Pizzorno67,346
2014RoW (4-2)Redknapp, PhillipsClarence Seedorf (3), Nicky Byrne65,574
2016England (3-2)Mark Wright, Jermain Defoe (2)Dimitar Berbatov (2)70,000
2018England (3-3; 4-3pens)Darren Bent, Jeremy Lynch, Michael OwenRobbie Keane, Juan Sebastian Veron, Seedorf71,965
2019RoW (2-2; 3-1 pens)Lynch (2)Usain Bolt, Kemal Cetinay39,836
2020RoW (1-1; 4-3 pens)Yung FillyKeane0
2021RoW (3-0)–Cetinay (2), Lee Mack51,674
2022RoW (2-2; 4-1 pens)Wright, Tom GrennanNoah Beck,Cetinay54,410
2023RoW (4-2)Butterfield, ScholesBolt, Keane (2), CetinayTBC

Soccer Aid: Biggest Celebrities

An array of stars have taken part over the years, with Williams initially captaining the hosts against rival skipper Gordon Ramsay, the chef known for his hit TV series.

Woody Harrelson, Will Ferrell and Gerard Butler have been among theHollywood icons lured to lace up their boots, and some of the greatest athletes of all time— including Usain Bolt and Mo Farah, who are involved again in 2023— have used the opportunity to show their skills in a different sport.

If social media followings are any measure of fame, former One Direction singer Niall Horan's Instagram fanbase of more than 32 million takes some beating.

Two of Horan's former bandmates and fellow Soccer Aid enlistees, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne, have around 44 million followers between them on the platform.

Serial Soccer Aid player and social media sensation Noah Beck has almost as many followers across his platforms, and actor Tom Hiddleston— a newcomer to the match in 2023— has more than 23 million.

Soccer Aid: Best Footballers

So many hall-of-fame footballers have taken part in the match that there would be some debate over a list of the best.

Maradona, who was named the best player of the 20th century in an official FIFA vote, is arguably number one, while Lothar Matthaus, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos are a few of the other World Cup winners to have been involved.

English viewers have enjoyed watching greats of their national team and domestic game take part. Women's EURO 2022 winner Jill Scott will captain a team featuring the likes of Paul Scholes and Gary Neville for 2023, while cap centurions such as David Beckham, Karen Carney and Eniola Aluko and Premier League legends including Alan Shearer and Michael Owen have played in the games.

Ruud Gullit, Emma Hayes, Kenny Dalglish, Bryan Robson and Jose Mourinho are some of the revered figures to have coached teams.

Soccer Aid stadium: Where has the charity match been played?

The game was first held at Old Trafford and took place there again in 2023, having previously been played there on all but four occasions.

Wembley Stadium was the setting for the second edition. Chelsea's Stamford Bridge hosted the match in 2019, followed by Manchester City's Etihad Stadium in 2021 and West Ham United's London Stadium a year later.

What is Soccer Aid? Results, winners, biggest celebrities from history of charity match | Sporting News (2024)
Top Articles
Winning Mega Millions numbers for Friday, May 24, $453 million ahead of Memorial Day
Florida Lottery Information
Joi Databas
Jesus Calling December 1 2022
Wells Fargo Careers Log In
Terraria Enchanting
Richard Sambade Obituary
Phenix Food Locker Weekly Ad
Kostenlose Games: Die besten Free to play Spiele 2024 - Update mit einem legendären Shooter
Jesus Revolution Showtimes Near Chisholm Trail 8
Obituary | Shawn Alexander | Russell Funeral Home, Inc.
The Rise of Breckie Hill: How She Became a Social Media Star | Entertainment
Audrey Boustani Age
Sport Clip Hours
Everything You Need to Know About Holly by Stephen King
General Info for Parents
3472542504
Where does insurance expense go in accounting?
50 Shades Darker Movie 123Movies
Divina Rapsing
Edicts Of The Prime Designate
Myhr North Memorial
The Tower and Major Arcana Tarot Combinations: What They Mean - Eclectic Witchcraft
Craigslist Battle Ground Washington
Thick Ebony Trans
Sister Souljah Net Worth
When His Eyes Opened Chapter 3123
CVS Health’s MinuteClinic Introduces New Virtual Care Offering
Studentvue Calexico
TMO GRC Fortworth TX | T-Mobile Community
130Nm In Ft Lbs
HP PARTSURFER - spare part search portal
Isablove
Earthy Fuel Crossword
Jt Closeout World Rushville Indiana
Ofw Pinoy Channel Su
Nail Salon Open On Monday Near Me
Lehpiht Shop
Atlantic Broadband Email Login Pronto
Pensacola 311 Citizen Support | City of Pensacola, Florida Official Website
Usf Football Wiki
Collier Urgent Care Park Shore
Felix Mallard Lpsg
Armageddon Time Showtimes Near Cmx Daytona 12
Crystal Glassware Ebay
Suntory Yamazaki 18 Jahre | Whisky.de » Zum Online-Shop
La Qua Brothers Funeral Home
Dicks Mear Me
Unpleasant Realities Nyt
Solving Quadratics All Methods Worksheet Answers
Marion City Wide Garage Sale 2023
Vt Craiglist
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Madonna Wisozk

Last Updated:

Views: 5839

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (68 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Madonna Wisozk

Birthday: 2001-02-23

Address: 656 Gerhold Summit, Sidneyberg, FL 78179-2512

Phone: +6742282696652

Job: Customer Banking Liaison

Hobby: Flower arranging, Yo-yoing, Tai chi, Rowing, Macrame, Urban exploration, Knife making

Introduction: My name is Madonna Wisozk, I am a attractive, healthy, thoughtful, faithful, open, vivacious, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.