Soccer Aid’s 20th anniversary match raises record £16.5m for UNICEF

This year’s Soccer Aid charity match has raised £16.46m to support UNICEF’s work to support children globally.

The total raised at the weekend's event, which each year sees two teams of celebrities and former professional footballers compete, is up by more than £1m on last year’s match.

The 2026 event was broadcast on ITV and marked the 20th anniversary of the fundraiser. It was staged in front of 60,000 fans at a sellout London Stadium, where Championship side West Ham play.

The event sees a Soccer Aid World XI FC take on a side of English players and celebrities. This year England won 3-2.

At the event Hollywood stars Tom Hanks and Tim Allen kicked off the game by delivering the match ball.

England were managed by the event’s co-founder Robbie Williams and comedian Bradley Walsh alongside former manager Harry Redknapp and ex-England goalkeeper David Seaman, while the Soccer Aid World XI FC were led by among others sprinter Usain Bolt, comedian Judi Love and three-times Champions League Winner Clarence Seedorf.

Williams 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.”

The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) doubled every donation made to this year’s Soccer Aid up to £6 million. This will go directly to towards UNICEF’s Child Nutrition Fund, which tackles severe forms of malnutrition and anaemia.

UNICEF chief executive Philip Goodwin added: “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.”

Last year’s event raised £15.28m, marginally up on the previous year and a £600,000 increase on 2023’s total when £14.6m was raised.