Published: March 12, 2025 -- In a world first, Tyson Fury will co-manage England at Soccer Aid for UNICEF alongside Wayne Rooney who is out of retirement to play and manage alongside the former heavyweight champion of the world. In a mouthwatering prospect, Fury has refused to rule out substituting himself on during the match to form a stunning attacking line-up with Manchester United’s all-time record goal-scorer Rooney.

Tickets for the match went on sale this morning following news that Angry Ginge; Joe Hart; Nadia Nadim; Steph Houghton; Toni Duggan and Leonardo Bonucci will all make their debuts in the charity match on Sunday 15th June at Old Trafford, Manchester. Louis Tomlinson returns to the match eight years after his original appearance in 2016. The game takes place on Father’s Day and adult tickets are available from £20 and juniors from £10. Tickets include access to a pre-game ‘Fan Zone’ and ‘Player Arrivals Area’. Even more players will be announced over the coming weeks.

Tyson Fury said: “Tyson Fury: ENGLAND MANAGER! Who would ever have thought it!? I have had some big fights in my career and the prospect of leading my England team to victory this June fills me with just as much excitement as any heavyweight fight! Everyone knows that I am a huge Manchester United fan too, so it’s even more special for me that the game is at Old Trafford this year – and I get to manage one of my heroes, Wayne Rooney! How can we lose!? The work UNICEF does all around the world is so special and so important. I really hope that you can come along and support us this summer.”

Wayne Rooney said: “I enjoyed the last time I was involved at Soccer Aid so much that when the call came for the 2025 match it was a really easy decision! I’m a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic. It really sums up how brilliant Soccer Aid is. We have this in common: we’ll both be taking it incredibly seriously! Obviously it’s great to lace-up the old boots again – and see some old friends – but the cause is the real reason we are doing this. UNICEF needs our help. So, I promise we’ll put on a show for you this June if you buy your tickets to help raise money for UNICEF and for children around the world.”

Louis Tomlinson said: “Manchester! It's about ten years since I last turned out for Soccer Aid, so I thought it was about time I returned to the pitch. As everyone knows, I am a massive football fan so playing with some legends of the game is a dream come true. Wayne Rooney with Tyson Fury in the manager’s seat – it’s gonna [sic] be a good one! It’s all for an amazing cause: UNICEF. Please buy your tickets and support the incredible work they do.”

Robbie Williams said: “I have been completely blown away by the success of Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be this successful. I’m so proud that Soccer Aid has raised more than £106 million for UNICEF since 2006 – very few things in life give me as much joy as knowing children’s lives will have been made better because of it. Last year, the match raised £15 million and we want to make this year bigger and better than ever! Buy your tickets for this iconic star-studded match on Sunday 15th June at the legendary Old Trafford.”

More famous faces are set to be revealed in the coming weeks but those announced today for the Soccer Aid World XI FC are: Leonardo Bonucci; Kaylyn Kyle; Nadia Nadim and Diamond (Livi Sheldon).

For England: Tyson Fury (Co-Manager); Wayne Rooney (Co-Manager & Player); Harry Redknapp (Co-Manager); Vicky McClure (Co-Manager); David James (Goalkeeper Coach); Joe Hart (Professional Goalkeeper); Paddy McGuinness (Celebrity Goalkeeper); Gary Neville; Paul Scholes; Jermain Defoe; Jill Scott; Steph Houghton; Toni Duggan; Tom Grennan; Sam Thompson; Sam Quek; Steven Bartlett; Sir Mo Farah; Louis Tomlinson; Angry Ginge and UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Brooker.

Leonardo Bonucci said: “I’m honoured to represent the Soccer Aid World XI FC – as a proud Italian! – on Sunday 15th June at Old Trafford. I’ve heard so much about this great event over the years, so I’m really happy to finally make my contribution to this great cause. Thank you to Robbie Williams for the invitation! I’ll do everything I can to make things difficult for some of my great rivals – in particular: Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes! I am so looking forward to seeing the Theatre of Dreams full of passionate fans. I know it’s a charity game – but I want to win, badly! I just hope I don’t make Tyson Fury too angry in the process!”

Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, hosted by UNICEF UK Ambassador Dermot O’Leary and UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Scott. Sam Matterface returns as Commentator, alongside the voice of Love Island and BAFTA award-winning comedian, Iain Stirling, as Co-Commentator of the live match. A half-time entertainment show will also be announced in due course. Previous performers include Tom Grennan and UNICEF UK Ambassadors Rita Ora and Robbie Williams.

UNICEF UK Ambassador, Dermot O’Leary said: “Soccer Aid for UNICEF is an incredibly special event – and means a great deal to me personally as a UNICEF UK Ambassador, host and producer, but even more so as a parent. The game this year is on Father’s Day, so it takes on even more significance. Buying a ticket for this year’s star-studded match will help UNICEF give children everywhere a chance to grow up happy, healthy and with hope for the brightest future possible. I know it’s going to be an absolutely fantastic night at Old Trafford.”

UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Scott said: “I’ve been privileged to see, first-hand, some of the life-changing work made possible by Soccer Aid for UNICEF. The money you give to this cause really does help children around the world to get the absolute best start in life – and frankly, just giving them the chance to be children even in the toughest of situations. This year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF is at Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 15th June and – as usual – has an amazing line-up of celebrities and footballers. I can’t wait to be a part of it and hope that you’ll join us for one of the events of the summer.”

UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Brooker said: “Being part of Soccer Aid for UNICEF has been one of the best things I've ever done and I'm so excited and feel privileged to be asked back again. From a football fan's point of view, it's absolutely living the dream – playing alongside your heroes and living like a footballer for a few days. But the ultimate goal and why we're all here is to keep raising money for UNICEF to help them continue their vital work for children all over the world. I've seen first-hand the difference the money raised makes so please buy your tickets for Sunday 15th June at Old Trafford and help support an incredible cause. I can't wait!”

Paddy McGuinness said: “This year’s Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford is going to be an absolute belter! I genuinely love this event – it’s a highlight of the year for me. I’ve been involved for many years now and still can’t believe it has become the world’s biggest charity football match. I don’t run around quite as much as I used to, which is why I play in goal now – I’m representing all the dads out there, which is funny because the game takes places on Father’s Day this year – Sunday 15th June. What better present for your old man than tickets to Soccer Aid!?”

Since 2006 – when UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams co-founded the concept – Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised over £106 million, all supporting UNICEF’s vital work around the world working with families, communities and trusted partners to support children to grow up safe, healthy and able to play. The money raised from this year’s game could help UNICEF provide life-changing support for a child, like clean water, vital vaccinations or the opportunity to learn, so every child can get the best start in life.

Soccer Aid for UNICEF is delighted to welcome back returning Principal Partners, Primark, EA Sports and Adidas and new partners TOM Insurance and Suzuki.

Tickets for the game are on sale now via socceraid.org.uk/tickets – adult tickets from £20 and juniors from £10. Tickets include access to a pre-game ‘Fan Zone’ and ‘Player Arrivals Area’.