What time is Soccer Aid 2021? When is kick off, who is in the teams, date, tickets - and how to watch it on TV

Sven Goran Eriksson will return to manage the England team which sees Wayne Rooney pull on the Three Lions again

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Former England manager Sven Goran Eriksson will return to manage the nation he coached for five years at Soccer Aid 2021.

Eriksson managed England men’s team from 2001 to 2006 during which time the Three Lions were knocked out of three major tournaments at the quarter-final stage.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He will coach one of his former players in England great Wayne Rooney who confirmed he will lace up his boots for the annual charity football match.

Soccer Aid has raised more than £47 million for charity since it began in 2006. (Pic: PA)Soccer Aid has raised more than £47 million for charity since it began in 2006. (Pic: PA)
Soccer Aid has raised more than £47 million for charity since it began in 2006. (Pic: PA)

Rooney, who holds the record for the most goals scored in a Three Lions shirt, managed the England team in last year's fundraiser for children's charity Unicef.

The 35-year-old scored 53 goals for his country in 120 international appearances - the most England caps won by an outfield player behind goalkeeper Peter Shilton.

When is Soccer Aid 2021?

England great Wayne Rooney will lace up his boots for Soccer Aid 2021. (Pic: Getty)England great Wayne Rooney will lace up his boots for Soccer Aid 2021. (Pic: Getty)
England great Wayne Rooney will lace up his boots for Soccer Aid 2021. (Pic: Getty)

In 2021, the annual Soccer Aid charity match will take place on Saturday 4 September - three weeks after the start of the 2021/22 Premier League season.

There is a scheduled 7.30pm kick off time.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Soccer Aid has raised more than £47 million for charity since it began in 2006.

Unicef UK ambassador Robbie Williams co-founded the annual charity football match, which last year raised a record-breaking £9.3m during the Covid pandemic.

It is reported that money raised this year could go towards delivering two billion Covid vaccines to frontline healthcare and social workers and teachers around the world.

Alex Scott will co-host the evening's entertainment alongside Dermot O'Leary on ITV. (Pic: PA)Alex Scott will co-host the evening's entertainment alongside Dermot O'Leary on ITV. (Pic: PA)
Alex Scott will co-host the evening's entertainment alongside Dermot O'Leary on ITV. (Pic: PA)

Where is Soccer Aid 2021 taking place?

There will be a change of venue for this year's charity football match.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Soccer Aid 2021 will take place across the city from Old Trafford at the Etihad Stadium - home to the 2020/21 Premier League champions Manchester City.

What are the teams at Soccer Aid 2021?

The match will see an England side made up from a mix of former players and public figures take on football stars in a Rest of the World XI.

The World XI will be managed by Harry Redknapp, whose son Jamie is also likely to play a part in the charity match, with the England manager yet to be named.

Who is in the Soccer Aid 2021 lineup?

Alongside Rooney, former internationals David James, Ashley Cole, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Fara Williams, Kelly Smith and Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos will feature.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Neville said: “Just when I thought my days of being booed by City fans had passed. I’m hoping my hamstrings hold out for more than five minutes, to be honest.”

Singers James Arthur, Tom Grennan and Olly Murs will be among the celebrity faces taking part, alongside Ore Oduba, Kem Cetinay, Liv Cooke, and Chunkz.

But despite being announced on the team sheet, both presenter Paddy McPaddy and Roman Kemp have both had to withdraw.

McGuinness announced on Twitter the day after his debut as Question Of Sport host that he was withdrawing from the match following an injury.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He wrote: “Good luck to both teams today at @socceraid for @UNICEF_uk gutted I’ve had to withdraw with injury. If you’ve got a ticket you’re in for an absolutely great day for a great cause.”

On Friday, radio DJ Roman Kemp also pulled out of competing for the World XI side after testing positive for coronavirus.

Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt will be back for a third appearance at the event, Maya Jama returns as a pundit and Micah Richards joins England's coaching setup.

Richards added: “Usain Bolt running at Gary Neville? Rooney out of retirement? Me making my coaching debut. What more do you want? This is going to be so good.”

How can I get tickets to Soccer Aid 2021?

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tickets for Soccer Aid 2021 are currently on sale with prices ranging upwards of £21 for adults and £10.50 for children under the age of 16.

The match has always been a well-attended event pre-Covid with organisers hoping to see crowds back in stadiums under the government's roadmap out of lockdown.

The match will be broadcast live on ITV where Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott will host.

Football Focus presenter Scott said: “I’m so excited for this! I’ve wanted to be involved in Soccer Aid for Unicef for many years, so I am delighted to be part of it now as pitch-side reporter.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“For years I’ve watched the games and it’s something that I know loads of people look forward to. It’ll be great to be back in a stadium with fans again – and all for such a great cause.

“With so many great names already signed-up – and many more to come – there’s no excuse not to get your tickets now!”

A message from the editor:

Thank you for reading. NationalWorld is a new national news brand, produced by a team of journalists, editors, video producers and designers who live and work across the UK. Find out more about who’s who in the team, and our editorial values. We want to start a community among our readers, so please follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and keep the conversation going. You can also sign up to our newsletters and get a curated selection of our best reads to your inbox every day.

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.