Soccer Aid 2025 live: England vs World XI kick-off time, line-ups and build-up at Old Trafford – UK Times

Boxing star Tony Bellew will take to the pitch for Soccer Aid but once again lines up for the World XI against England.

The former cruiserweight world champion is a proud Liverpudlian and Everton fan but chooses to play for the World XI team.

The eligibility rules for Soccer Aid are not strict – and Tommy Fury also played for World XI in 2023 despite being born in Manchester.

There’s a Manchester United feel to the World XI defence as Nemanja Vidic lines up ahead of Edwin Van der Sar at Old Trafford.

The back-four is completed by former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, actor Richard Gaad and former boxer Tony Bellew.

Former France international Kheira Hamraoui, comedian Asim Chaudhry, musician Dermot Kennedy and Livi Sheldon (Gladiator Diamond) are in midfield.

And how about this for a front two: David Trezeguet and Rivaldo, former World Cup winners with France and Brazil respectively.

Joe Hart; Louis Tomlinson, Angry Ginge, Phil Jagielka, Tom Grennan; Jack Wilshire, Jill Scott, Michael Carrick; Bella Ramsey, James Nelson-Joyce; Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney leads the line at Old Trafford, with support from actors Bella Ramsey and James Nelson-Joyce. There’s a quality midfield trio of Jack Wilshire, Jill Scott and Michael Carrick, who will look to get their foot on the ball.

Angry Ginge joins Phil Jagielka in a staunch centre-back pair with pop stars Louis Tomlinson and Tom Grennan given shifts at full-back.

Joe Hart is in goal for the first half.

England defeated the World XI 6-3 at Stamford Bridge to win last year’s Soccer Aid, ending a run of five consecutive defeats in the charity match. Four of the last seven Soccer Aids have also gone to penalties.

2024: England 6-3 World XI

2023: World XI 4-2 England

2022: World XI 2-2 England (World XI won on penalties)

2021: World XI 3-0 England

2020: World XI 1-1 England (World XI won on penalties)

2019: World XI 2-2 England (World XI won on penalties)

2018: England 3-3 World XI (England won on penalties)

The Brazilian Rivaldo, a 2002 World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner, will be playing for the World XI this evening.

He adds to a star-studded attacking line-up for the visitors at Old Trafford that also includes Carlos Tevez and David Trezeguet.

Wayne Rooney (Former footballer and manager)

Harry Redknapp (Former football manager)

Goalkeeping coach: David James (Former footballer)

Steven Bartlett (Entrepreneur)

Alex Brooker (TV personality)

Jermain Defoe (Former footballer)

Toni Duggan (Former footballer)

Sir Mo Farah (Former Olympian)

Bear Grylls (TV personality)

Joe Hart (Former footballer)

Steph Houghton (Former footballer)

Aaron Lennon (Former footballer)

Dame Denise Lewis (Olympic gold medallist)

Paddy McGuinness (TV personality)

Gary Neville (Former footballer)

Sam Quek (Former hockey player/TV personality)

Wayne Rooney (Former footballer and manager)

Paul Scholes (Former footballer)

Jill Scott (Former footballer)

Sam Thompson (King of the Jungle)

Louis Tomlinson (Musician)

Peter Schmeichel (Former footballer)

Leonardo Bonucci (Former footballer)

Tobi Brown (Sideman star)

Richard Gadd (Actor/comedian)

Dermot Kennedy (Musician and halftime performer)

Harry Kewell (Former footballer)

Kaylyn Kyle (Former footballer)

Livi Sheldon (Diamond from Gladiators)

Carlos Tevez (Former footballer)

Edwin van der Sar (Former footballer)

Nemanja Vidic (Former footballer)

Billy Wingrove (Freestyle footballer)

Big Zuu (Musician and TV personality)