SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF 2026 RAISES A RECORD £16 MILLION FOR CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD- 20th ANNIVERSARY MATCH A SELL-OUT SUCCESS AT LONDON STADIUM


Home > Media Contacts and Press Releases > SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF 2026 RAISES A RECORD £16 MILLION FOR CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD- 20th ANNIVERSARY MATCH A SELL-OUT SUCCESS AT LONDON STADIUM

Prime Minister joins Soccer Aid for UNICEF stars as they train for the 20th anniversary of the charity match

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  • Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026, broadcast live from 5.00pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, has tonight raised £16,462,353 to support UNICEF’s work for children worldwide. 
  • England secured a 3–2 victory to reclaim the title, with standout goals from Jermaine Defoe and Soccer Aid debutant Damson Idris. 
  • The special twentieth anniversary match took place in front of over 60,000 fans at a sell-out London Stadium, bringing together football legends and stars from entertainment, sport and culture for the world’s biggest celebrity football match. 
  • The final total of £1.3 million from multi‑platinum singer and Heart FM presenter Olly Murs Into the Unknown challenge was announced. 
  • Soccer Aid co-founder Robbie Williams was joined by a stellar line-up as England took on the Soccer Aid World XI FC, with a special halftime performance from Robbie. 
  • The money raised from tonight’s show will help UNICEF deliver life changing support for children around the world – including access to clean water and nutrition, vital vaccinations, education and protection in times of crisis – so every child can get the best possible start in life. 
  • There is still time to donate at socceraid.org.uk/donate. 

LONDON, SUNDAY 31 MAY – Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026, broadcast live and exclusively on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player this evening from London Stadium, has raised over £16 million for UNICEF’s vital work supporting children worldwide. 

Tonight’s match marked the twentieth anniversary of Soccer Aid for UNICEF. Since it was co-founded by UNICEF UK Ambassador Robbie Williams in 2006, the event has raised over £137 million to help children grow safe, healthy and able to play. 

The sold-out London Stadium played host to another unforgettable night as England faced the Soccer Aid World XI FC, with the match ending 3–2, resulting in England taking the win.  

Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen kicked off the game by delivering the match ball onto the pitch. The first half then saw an early chance for Nabhaan Rizwan, who forced Joe Hart into a save, while Jordi Alba also had near miss. Owen Cooper showed his defensive skills making some important tackles, and then the first breakthrough arrived in the 31st minute, when Damson Idris marked his Soccer Aid debut by scoring the opening goal. England almost doubled their lead when Rooney saw his shot tipped onto the post by former Man United teammate Edwin Van de Sar.  

England were managed by Robbie Williams and Bradley Walsh alongside football icons Harry Redknapp and David Seaman, while the Soccer Aid World XI FC were led by legendary sprinter Usain Bolt, making his debut as World XI manager at the stadium where he won Olympic gold in 2012. Alongside Usain on the management team was comedian Judi Love, former Juventus player, Leonardo Bonucci and 3-time Champions League Winner Clarence Seedorf. The match featured an exhilarating mix of footballing brilliance and entertainment, with appearances from England stars Wayne Rooney, Jill Scott, Jermain Defoe and Theo Walcott, alongside celebrity players including Danny Dyer, Joe Marler, Damson Idris, GK Barry and Owen Cooper who is the youngest ever player to take part in Soccer Aid. 

The Soccer Aid World XI FC squad included football legends Edwin van der Sar, Michael Essien, Jen Beattie and Ali Krieger, with celebrity support from Richard Gadd, Maisie Adam, Nicky Byrne and Nitro from Gladiators. 

During half time, UNICEF UK Ambassador Tom Hiddleston addressed the stadium crowd and viewers at home together with a special speech, galvanising donations to UNICEF. Followed by a show stopping performance by Robbie Williams singing his hit song ‘Feel’, supported by backing vocals from the London Youth Choirs. 

The second half got off to a strong start as Jermaine Defoe doubled England’s lead, before adding a superb third with a chip over World XI goalkeeper Chris O’Dowd. Showman goalkeeper Joe Marler kept the crowd entertained with a series of exaggerated saves for England, while the World XI pulled a goal back with a sensational strike from former Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien. Tim Cahill then headed home from a Nemanja Matic cross for the World XI’s second goal of the night, setting up a tense finale.   

Tonight’s show was hosted by UNICEF UK Ambassador Dermot O’Leary and UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter Alex Scott MBE, with commentary from Sam Matterface and Patrick Kielty. Tonight’s pundits were actor and UNICEF UK Ambassador Michael Sheen, comedian Asim Chaudhry, rapper Aitch alongside former England goalkeeper Mary Earps. The ‘Appreciation Station’ also returned to the stadium this year with famous faces including actor Emmett J Scanlan, Diamond from Gladiators, DJ and presenter Tyler West and actress Molly Rainford who all picked up the phones to give thanks to generous viewers making donations throughout the night.    

Throughout the broadcast, powerful fundraising appeal films featuring Tom Hiddleston, Alison Hammond, Martin Compston and other UNICEF supporters highlighted the impact the funds raised will have for children affected by conflict, climate emergencies, poverty and displacement around the world. 

Olly Murs discovered the final total raised by his ‘Olly Murs: Into the Unknown challenge’, which was revealed during the show as £1,342,214. The grueling challenge saw the multi-platinum singer and Heart presenter run, ride, row 400km from Old Trafford to London Stadium. 

The money raised could help UNICEF provide support for children living through conflict and crisis, including access to healthcare, education and protection – helping safeguard childhoods when they are under threat. 

The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) doubled every donation made to this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF campaign up to £6 million which will go directly towards the Child Nutrition Fund, tackling challenges such as severe forms of malnutrition and anaemia and helping children to get the nutrition they need to grow up healthy and able to play. 

Robbie Williams, Soccer Aid for UNICEF co‑founder and UNICEF UK Ambassador, said: 

“Thinking about what Soccer Aid for UNICEF has become over the past twenty years is truly incredible. It started as an idea, and it’s grown into something far bigger than any of us expected. The support from the public year after year has been phenomenal, and the money raised tonight will go on to do vital work for children around the world. I’m massively grateful to everyone who has played, donated, watched and supported it.” 

 

Philip Goodwin, Chief Executive of UNICEF UK, said: 

“Twenty years of Soccer Aid for UNICEF is a remarkable achievement, made possible by the extraordinary support of the UK public. At a time when children across the world are facing conflict, hunger, climate disasters and shrinking aid budgets, the funds raised tonight will transform lives. This support could not be more needed, and I am profoundly grateful to everyone who supported UNICEF tonight.” 

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV Head of Entertainment Commissioning, said: 

“Soccer Aid for UNICEF continues to be one of the most powerful and uplifting events on TV. This twentieth anniversary match was a truly special night, and ITV is immensely proud to continue broadcasting a show that brings entertainment, sport and purpose together to raise vital funds for children worldwide.” 

Kenneth Shepherd, Executive Director, Soccer Aid Productions, said: 

“Although we all hoped Soccer Aid for UNICEF would be successful when we played the first match in 2006, no one could have predicted that we would go on to raise as much money as we have, two decades later. An enormous thanks must go to the British public for their unwavering generosity to this fantastic cause. Soccer Aid for UNICEF has grown beyond anything we could have imagined — and the legacy of helping UNICEF’s vital work around the world continues. Tonight’s event is yet another testament to the generosity of the public, our incredible talent, partners and production teams. Thank you to everyone who played their part tonight and who has played their part over the last twenty years.”  

Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2026 was broadcast live on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player, and was produced by Initial TV (a Banijay UK company). 

To donate or find out more, visit socceraid.org.uk. Donation lines remain open until Wednesday 1st July 2026 at midday. 

Follow @SoccerAid on Twitter/X and Instagram, ‘Soccer Aid’ on Facebook, and use the hashtag #SoccerAid. 

ENDS 

Notes to editors:  

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NOTES TO EDITORS 

SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF 

Over the last 20 years, Soccer Aid for UNICEF has united millions of people and raised over £137 million to support UNICEF’s vital work helping children grow up safe, healthy and able to play. 

Right now, children around the world are facing devastating crises – from global aid cuts, war and climate change to hunger and disease – threatening their childhoods and their right to play. 

The money raised from this year’s campaign could help UNICEF provide life-changing support for a child, like clean water and nutrition, vital vaccinations, or the opportunity to learn, so every child can get the best start in life. 

For more information and to donate, visit socceraid.org.uk/donate 

Soccer Aid for UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF PARTNERS 

Soccer Aid Productions Limited 

The multi-stakeholder project of Soccer Aid for UNICEF is run by Soccer Aid Productions, a collaboration between UNICEF UK and Triple S Events which is part of the Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group. 

UNICEF UK 

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, UNICEF work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. It also promotes and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. It is a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters. 

ITV Social Purpose 

ITV’s Social Purpose is about using the power of ITV to shape culture for good, through using creativity and scale to inspire positive change in the world, and to nurture a responsible and inclusive working environment. ITV’s social purpose encompasses four priorities – better health, diversity and inclusion, climate action and giving back, all with their own measurable goals. For more information go to itvplc.com/socialpurpose 

Initial 

Initial, part of Banijay UK, has been the producer of all 13 Soccer Aid shows since its inception in 2006. Experienced in making premium entertainment and ambitious reality programmes, credits include hit shows such as Celebrity Big Brother (ITV), Big Brother (ITV), Last One Laughing (Prime Video), 99 To Beat(ITV), Total Wipeout and Tenable. 

 Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group 

The Triple S Sports & Entertainment Group is a full-service sports and entertainment group operating in multiple industry sectors and countries. As a long-standing and expert agency with highly experienced personnel, it offers a range of services, including: talent management, event management, commercial rights exploitation, financial & legal advice, PR consultancy, social media & digital production, contract, transfer & negotiation management and crisis management services. The Group represents some of the highest-profile sporting professionals in the UK, as well as renowned personalities in the entertainment industry. Triple S has also been responsible for some of the biggest sports entertainment TV events in the UK. 

About Children’s Investment Fund Foundation  

The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) is an independent philanthropic organisation that partners with governments, communities and institutions to create systemic, locally owned change and, in turn, a world where all children can flourish.  CIFF has over $3 billion actively invested in projects and people who are accelerating solutions to the world’s interlinking problems, focusing on: tackling climate change, improving health and nutrition, and promoting equity and choice for women and girls.  For more information, please visit www.ciff.org