Frank Lampard will be back at Stamford Bridge this weekend for Soccer Aid (Image: Getty)
Soccer Aid is set to kick off this Sunday, with a line-up featuring a host of former Premier League stars.
The charity football match, conceived by Robbie Williams in 2006 to raise funds for UNICEF, sees England face off against Soccer Aid World XI FC. Over the years, the game has attracted footballing legends such as Gianfranco Zola, Francesco Totti, Roberto Carlos and even the late Diego Maradona.
The event is known for its mix of celebrities from film, TV and music playing alongside football greats. Hollywood stars like Will Ferrell, Woody Harrelson and Damian Lewis have all taken part since the game's inception.
The managerial roles will be filled by former Stamford Bridge favourites, with Frank Lampard leading England and Mauricio Pochettino returning as manager of the World XI.
Jesus Perez, Pochettino's assistant at Chelsea, will also be in the dugout, reports the Mirror.
Chelsea's pantheon of greats, including Frank Lampard, Eden Hazard, Petr Cech, Michael Essien, Gary Cahill, John Obi Mikel, and Joe Cole, are set to grace the pitch once more, with the latter having also played for Liverpool. Chelsea Women's star Karen Carney adds to the illustrious list, while Liverpool's former shot-stopper David James will represent the Reds.
They'll be joined by Tottenham's ex-forward Jermain Defoe, Arsenal veterans David Seaman and Jack Wilshere, and England Women's icon Jill Scott. Harry Redknapp is set to impart his managerial expertise alongside Lampard and Robbie Williams.
Eden Hazard will also be back at the Bridge this weekend for Soccer Aid (Image: Getty)
The celebrity contingent is as dazzling as ever, with Olympic legends Usain Bolt and Sir Mo Farah, DJ Roman Kemp, actor Martin Compston, podcaster and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, and boxer Tommy Fury taking to the field. Author Steven Bartlett joins the lineup too.
The 2024 game welcomes new faces such as cricket's Stuart Broad, reality TV's Sam Thompson, and Strictly's Bobby Brazier.
Reflecting on his swift return to Stamford Bridge, Pochettino expressed his enthusiasm: "The 2023 match was a great experience to be a part of and that is why I was more than happy to accept a return this year, particularly as it will be at Stamford Bridge and with Frank Lampard, a Chelsea legend, in the opposing dugout for England."
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Pochettino will be making a quick return to Chelsea with Soccer Aid this weekend (Image: Getty)
This year, the England squad will don a specially designed Euro '96 kit remake for the match, which is scheduled just five days before the Euro 2024 kick-off in Germany. The World XI team will also be kitted out in a unique and limited edition Adidas ensemble.
Since its inception in 2006, England has clinched victory five times, although their last triumph was back in 2018. The World XI have claimed seven victories, with last year marking their fifth consecutive win.
The previous year's match saw the World XI secure a 4-2 victory. As always, all proceeds from the event will go towards Unicef's efforts to shield children from disease and malnutrition, support their mental health, and provide assistance during crises in war-torn nations.
UNICEF UK Ambassador Dermot O'Leary will host the live show, joined by UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Scott. The match will be broadcast live on Sunday, June 9 at 6pm on ITV, ITVX and STV.
