Soccer Aid 2026 kick-off moved as ITV start time and full lineup confirmed
The England v World XI charity match is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year
Soccer Aid is back for 2026 with the charity match celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Founded by Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes back in 2006, the event sees a host of famous faces and former professional football players join forces as an England side takes on a 'World XI' team in front of a packed stadium. While it was previously a biennial affair, it has been held annually since 2018, with over £120 million raised for UNICEF UK since its inception.
Over the years, some legends of the game have taken part, with Diego Maradona, Paul Gascoigne, Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldinho among those to have been involved.
Big Hollywood stars like Woody Harrelson, Mike Myers and Will Ferrell have also pulled on their boots in previous, as have legends from other sports including Sir Mo Farah, Usain Bolt and Brian Lara.
Now, after a week of anniversary celebrations, it's time to do it all again with this year's match taking place at the London Stadium, home of West Ham United.
Familiar faces like Paddy McGuinness and Olly Murs will be turning out for England again, but they will be boosted by new additions including Adolescence star Owen Cooper, ex-rugby international Joe Marler and former Love Island contestant Chloe Burrows.
For the World XI, regular team members Nicky Byrne, Maisie Adam and Dermot Kennedy will be joined by the likes of actor Chris O'Dowd, Biffy Clyro frontman Simon Neil and YouTuber Behzinga.
Here's everything you need to know to watch this year's match, from TV channel and live stream information to the lineups in full.
Soccer Aid 2026 kick-off time
This year's Soccer Aid will kick-off at 6.30pm on Sunday, May 31 at the London Stadium.
The start time has been pushed forward an hour, having got underway at 7.30pm in recent years.
Live TV coverage will begin on ITV1 at 5.30pm.
The match will also be available to be streamed for free on the ITVX website and app, as well as ITV’s YouTube channel.
Dermot O'Leary and Alex Scott are once again on hosting duties for ITV's coverage of the big 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