March 12 – Former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury and ex-England and Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney will coach an England squad made up of athletes and celebrities against a World XI on June 15.
The match at Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground is a Unicef charity occasion for Soccer Aid 2025.
Former England Women internationals Jill Scott and Steph Houghton, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, singer Tom Grennan, Olympic great Mo Farah, ex-England goalkeeper Joe Hart and former Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci are among those who have confirmed their commitment to the event created by pop star Robbie Williams in 2006.
Former United players Gary Neville and Paul Scholes will also be back at Old Trafford alongside Rooney, who will take on a player-manager role.
UNICEF says it has raised more than £106 million for children worldwide since the first game.
“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!” said Fury.
“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! 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.”
Rooney, who recently managed English tier-2 side Plymouth Argyle before being sacked, added: “I’m a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic. It really sums up how brilliant Soccer Aid is. 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.”
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