Soccer Aid is set to make a grand return to Old Trafford on Sunday, June 15, with an England team packed with former pros and celebrities.
Tyson Fury, the ex-heavyweight boxing champ who has hinted at a comeback fight at Manchester United’s home ground, will be taking up coaching duties for England’s squad during the event.
The previous year’s match saw England secure a 6-3 victory, raising over £15 million and marking their first win in the charity match since 2018. Stars like Eden Hazard, Alessandro Del Piero, and Usain Bolt turned out for the opposition.
Tony Bellew, another boxing legend and past I’m a Celeb star, is expected to lace up his boots again, for the Soccer Aid World XI, although Harry Redknapp, back as coach, suggests he might miss the game.
“We all give up our time, free of charge, and come and enjoy it to raise as much money as we can,” Redknapp shared with Jane Garvey and Fi Glover on their latest Off Air podcast episode, before dropping some concerning news from the training ground.
“Tony Bellew, ex-world champion, he’s just decided to boot a ball without even warming up and just tore his groin. He’s so tough he’ll probably play on with it.”
The former Tottenham Hotspur boss also had high praise for Sir Mo Farah, Arsenal fan and four-time Olympic gold medallist.
“He’s not bad, Mo – sometimes the ball can be a bit of a hindrance to him,” Harry quipped. “It’s running off the ball he’s at his best, we send him on decoy runs. But he’s great, and what a great bloke [off the pitch].”
Harry singled out singer-songwriter Tom Grennan as the celebrity who has impressed him the most with his footballing skills during his time coaching for the event.
He added: “Tom’s got cracking ability, [he] can really play. I reckon he could have played at a professional level, you know. Certainly lower divisions, without a doubt, he is a real talent.”
Joining Harry Redknapp and Tyson Fury, Manchester United’s all-time top goalscorer Wayne Rooney and Line of Duty star Vicky McClure will feature on the coaching staff.
For the England team, you can expect to see the aforementioned Tom Grennan, Steven Bartlett, Paddy McGuinness and James Nelson-Joyce.
Jermain Defoe, Toni Duggan and Gary Neville will be among the pros on display.
As for the Soccer Aid XI team, Tony Bellew will be in the line-up if he can regain fitness in time alongside Strictly dancer Gorka Marquez, YouTuber Biz Zuu and former Euro and Serie A winner Leonardo Bonucci.
Soccer Aid 2025 will be played on Sunday (15 June) at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United, with kick-off scheduled for 7:30pm.