Who are the famous faces turning out at Soccer Aid?

Stormzy and Mauricio Pochettino on the touchline, Gary Neville locking horns with Usain Bolt and Tommy Fury in attack! Who are the famous faces turning out at Soccer Aid?

• World XI beat England 4-2 to take the Soccer Aid title at Old Trafford on Sunday
• The England side features legendary ex-pros Paul Scholes and Gary Neville
• Neville faces the daunting task of stopping World XI captain Bolt at Old Trafford 

The 2023 edition of Soccer Aid saw England once again fail to beat the World XI – who claimed the title for the fifth year in a row. 

Usain Bolt captained his side to another success in a team also featuring footballing legends Hernan Crespo and Roberto Carlos, while England were captained by Euros-winning Lioness Jill Scott.

The management teams were equally star-studded, with England’s camp including Chelsea women’s boss Emma Hayes, Stormzy and Harry Redknapp, while Mauricio Pochettino teamed up with Mel C for the World XI. 

Bolt put his side ahead before goals from actor Asa Butterfield and Paul Scholes put England ahead. Robbie Keane came off the bench to score a brace before Love Island’s Kem Cetinay sealed the victory for the World XI.  

Here are the famous faces appearing at Soccer Aid 2023, which raises money for UNICEF.

Usain Bolt captains the World XI at Soccer Aid 2023 and scored the opening goal at Old Trafford

He was joined my Man United legend Patrice Evra as he celebrated the strike with his famous lightning pose

Stormzy was part of the management team for England though they failed to take victory

England

Aside from their captain Scott, the England side features a number of other England legends with the likes of Karen Carney, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Jack Wilshere, Jermaine Defoe, Gary Cahill and David James all in the squad.

At just 31, Wilshere was an important player as the youngest ex-pro on the pitch.

Neville faced the difficult task of marking Bolt at right back. It may be seven years since his last Gold medal, but the Jamaican sprinter is still comfortably the fastest player on the pitch.

The England side also featured long-distance running legend Sir Mo Farah, with actors Tom Hiddleston, Asa Butterfield and Danny Dyer also in the squad.

There are a number of TV presenters and comedians in the side with the likes of Scarlette Douglas, Alex Brooker and Paddy McGuinness.

Musicians Liam Payne and Tom Grennan, both of whom are thought to be decent footballers, complete the side with YouTuber and Soccer Aid regular Chunkz.

Stormzy has cut a suave and collected figure in his grey suit on the touchline, with Redknapp and former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman backing him up.

England legend Gary Neville started for England and was tasked with stopping Bolt

There are two ex Tottenham bosses in the dug-out, with Harry Redknapp working with England and new Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino on the World XI staff

Actor Tom Hiddleston made his first Soccer Aid appearance for England

Tom Grennan, also appeared for England and performed a half-time show at Old Trafford

World XI

Bolt led a side that featured some of the greatest footballers of the past 20 years.

They have Women’s World Cup winner Heather O’Reilly in midfield, and she was joined by the likes of Crespo, Carlos, Darren Fletcher and Francesco Totti.

Man United legends Nani and Patrice Evra also made the squad, and the pair posted a video on Saturday urging their former teammates Neville and Scholes to ‘be careful with the tackles.’

Ben Foster plays in goal after agreeing a one year contract extension with Wrexham earlier this month.

The Theatre of Dreams has seen some famous hard-men over the years, and the World XI added boxer Tommy Fury and UFC Welterweight champion Leon Edwards to the mix.

Masie Adams plays the day after her wedding, alongside fellow comedians Mo Gilligan and Lee Mack.

The side is rounded off by influencers Noah Beck and Niko Omilana, while Pochettino and Mel C are joined in the technical area by Robbie Keane and Line of Duty actor Martin Compston. 

Reality TV star and boxer Tommy Fury plays up front for the World XI

A star-studded substitution in the first half saw Roberto Carlos replaced by Darren Fletcher

Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster is mic’d up in goal for the World XI after recently agreeing a contract extension with the Welsh club

Women’s World Cup winner Heather O’Reilly was also in action for Bolt’s side

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