STAR-STUDDED SOCCER AID FOR UNICEF GALA, PRESENTED BY EA SPORTS FC, RAISES £1,050,000

• UNICEF UK Ambassadors, Tom Hiddleston, David Harewood, Gemma Chan and Alex Brooker and UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Scott, joined a host of attendees at the Soccer Aid for UNICEF Gala, presented by Principal Partner EA SPORTS FC , on Thursday 21 May
• Football legends including David Seaman and Robbie Keane were also at the star-studded event, which celebrated 20 years of Soccer Aid for UNICEF, raising £1,050,600  for UNICEF for children around the world
• Over 250 guests attended the event at London’s Nobu hotel including Olly Murs, fresh from his Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge which saw him run, ride and row his way from Old Trafford in Manchester to the London Stadium   
• Attendees were also treated to a performance from singer Tom Grennan   

London, 21 May 2026 – Sporting royalty and stars of the stage and screen came together on Thursday night for the Soccer Aid for UNICEF Gala, presented by EA SPORTS FC, at Nobu Hotel in London.

The star-studded event celebrated 20 years of Soccer Aid, marking two decades since the launch of the world’s most famous charity football match. £1,050,600 was raised on the night to support UNICEF’s work helping children grow up safe, healthy and able to play.

Guests heard from UNICEF UK Ambassador and Soccer Aid founder Robbie Williams, who will be coaching England’s all-star team at this year’s game. He recorded a special video message reflecting on the impact of Soccer Aid for UNICEF which has raised over £121 million over the last 20 years to support children displaced by conflict, deliver life-saving vaccines, and make safe spaces for children to play and learn.

Watching on were stars including singer Olly Murs, who last week took on a gruelling 400km Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge, running, rowing and cycling his way from Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium, where Soccer Aid first kicked-off 20 years ago, to London Stadium, home of this year’s landmark match.

The night also saw former footballer and UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Scott, highlight how football can change children’s lives. Speaking about her experience travelling to Namibia with UNICEF, Alex told guests about Elma, a young girl who has been helped to stay safe by joining Galz and Goals. The UNICEF-supported project uses football to help girls build a better future for themselves in Namibia where 40% of girls have experienced some form of violence.

Guests also heard how UNICEF and EA SPORTS FC are using the power of football to drive sustained change in Namibia, to combine the power of football, technology and community collaboration to create long-lasting impact on and off the pitch.

In 2024, EA SPORTS FC FUTURES and UNICEF launched Namibia Futures, supporting 46,000 children and adolescents in Namibia – particularly girls – to build better futures through football for development and STEM opportunities. The programme supports children and adolescents to build confidence, develop life skills, and access new opportunities, both on and off the pitch.

Namibia Futures also integrates the FC FUTURES Academy – EA SPORTS FC’s digital learning platform providing free, expert-led football training resources inspired by the video game – into UNICEF’s Digital Learning Passport, enabling thousands of girls to access football training alongside education and life-skills development.

Hosted by Sam Matterface and Dame Denise Lewis, the star-studded event also welcomed UNICEF UK Ambassadors David Harewood, Gemma Chan and Alex Brooker as well as sporting stars David Seaman and Lianne Sanderson. Guests were treated to a performance from singer Tom Grennan who thrilled the crowd with his hits “Little Bit of Love” and “By Your Side”.

Guests also pledged their support at the evening’s live auction, with prizes including the iconic photograph of Diego Maradona moments after lifting the World Cup trophy in Mexico City in 1986, taken by David Yarrow and The Ultimate Soccer Aid for UNICEF Experience.

The night was rounded off with a rousing pledge moment by UNICEF UK Ambassador, Tom Hiddleston who spoke about his recent visit to Moldova, where he met Ukrainian refugee children and families who have fled the war,

UNICEF UK Ambassador, Tom Hiddleston, said: “Tonight was a wonderful celebration of everything that Soccer Aid for UNICEF has achieved over the last 20 years and such an important reminder of its incredible legacy helping children around the world grow up safe, healthy and able to play. As a proud UNICEF UK Ambassador, I’ve travelled to countries including South Sudan and Moldova and seen first-hand the incredible ways in which UNICEF supports children in the most difficult circumstances. I know every penny raised tonight will make a huge difference and means UNICEF can continue to support children and families around the world”.

UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Scott MBE, said: “Hearing about UNICEF and EA SPORTS FC’s work together is so inspiring and I feel so privileged to be part of it. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since Soccer Aid began. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to Namibia to see UNICEF’s amazing work for children and it was a real honour to be able to share my story visiting girls who are being helped to stay safe through sport. These experiences stay with you and it’s important to shine a light on these causes tonight so we can help as many children as possible realise their potential.”

James Salmon, Senior Director, Partnership Marketing at EA SPORTS FC, said: “At EA SPORTS FC, we believe in using the power of football to connect people across cultures, communities and generations, and to help more young people experience that connection through play. Our partnership with UNICEF brings that belief to life through initiatives like Soccer Aid and programmes such as Namibia Futures. Through EA SPORTS FC FUTURES, we’re continuing to invest in grassroots football, bringing coaching and digital learning together to create new opportunities for young people on and off the pitch. Tonight’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF Gala is a powerful example of how the global football community comes together around a shared purpose, and we’re proud to have supported UNICEF’s work helping children around the world.”

Philip Goodwin, Chief Executive of UNICEF UK, said: “Soccer Aid for UNICEF is more than just a match, it’s a powerful demonstration of what we can achieve when sport, solidarity and compassion come together and tonight we have done just that. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped raise this incredible total, and with special thanks to our longstanding partner, EA SPORTS FC and the hugely positive impact this partnership continues to deliver.”

The money raised from the Soccer Aid for UNICEF Gala, presented by EA SPORTSFC, will help protect play for every child, supporting UNICEF to continue its life-saving work providing safe spaces, education, health, and nutrition for children around the world, as well as providing vital emergency responses to those affected by conflict and natural disasters.

All money raised on the night was doubled thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.

– ENDS –

Notes to Editors: 

Link to all photos and assets: https://timwhitbyphotographer.pixieset.com/unicefeagala2026/
(Download PIN – 2947)

For more information about the Soccer Aid for UNICEF gala, presented by EA Sports please contact: 

UNICEF UK Press Office, [email protected], +44 207 375 6030   

High-profile guests who attended the Soccer Aid for UNICEF Gala included: 

• Sam Matterface – host
• Dame Denise Lewis – host
• Tom Hiddleston – UNICEF UK Ambassador
• David Harewood – UNICEF UK Ambassador
• Alex Brooker – UNICEF UK Ambassador
• Gemma Chan – UNICEF UK Ambassador
• Alex Scott MBE – UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter
• Sam Thompson
• Olly Murs
• David Seaman
• Lianne Sanderson
• Roy Hodgson
• Frankie Dettori
• Sam Allardyce
• Bryan Robson
• Tom Grennan
• Nic Fanciulli

Additional talent quotes:

UNICEF UK Ambassador, David Harewood, said: “I’ll never forget my experiences in Bangladesh seeing UNICEF’s work delivering life-saving vaccines and neo-natal health services for children and their families. I always come away from events like these amazed at seeing the difference made to children’s lives to help nurture and protect them, it really is incredible”.

Olly Murs, said: “What a brilliant night. I’m still aching all over from my Soccer Aid for UNICEF challenge last week but the stories from this evening will help motivate me to lace up my boots and get onto that pitch for the match on May 31st. I can’t believe it’s been 20 years since Soccer Aid began, it feels only like last week since I was first putting on my England kit for this great cause back in 2010.”

About UNICEF: 

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, we 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. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters.

United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland). For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: EA) is a global leader in digital interactive entertainment. The Company develops and delivers games, content and online services for Internet-connected consoles, mobile devices and personal computers.

In fiscal year 2026, EA posted GAAP net revenue of approximately $7.5 billion. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, EA is recognized for a portfolio of critically acclaimed, high-quality brands such as EA SPORTS FC™, Battlefield™, Apex Legends™, The Sims™, EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL, EA SPORTS™ College Football, Need for Speed™, Dragon Age™, Titanfall™, Plants vs. Zombies™ and EA SPORTS F1 ®. More information about EA is available at www.ea.com/news.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Apex Legends, The Sims, Dragon Age, Titanfall, and Plants vs. Zombies are trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. John Madden, NFL, and F1 are the property of their respective owners and used with permission.

About Children’s Investment Fund Foundation

The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) is an independent philanthropy that works with a range of partners including governments, NGOs and multilateral institutions to create large-scale change which is locally owned to help build a world where all children can flourish. CIFF has over $4 billion actively invested in programmes in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, focusing on: tackling climate change, improving health and nutrition, and promoting opportunities and choice for women and girls. For more information, please visit www.ciff.org

The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) have committed to double every donation received up to £6 million, for this Soccer Aid for UNICEF campaign. CIFF’s matched funding 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.