The annual Soccer Aid charity match will be staged at the Etihad Stadium on September 4, three weeks into the 2021/22 Premier League season.
Initiated by Robbie Williams and Freddy Shepherd in 2006, Soccer Aid has raised over £47 million for charity since its introduction 15 years ago.
Though the Soccer Aid match initially took place every two years, it has been held annually since the 2018 edition.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 edition was played behind closed doors at Old Trafford, the home venue of Manchester United.
Where will Soccer Aid 2021 take place?
Seven of the Soccer Aid nine editions so far were held at Old Trafford, with two exceptions.
The charity match in 2008 took place at Wembley, while the game in 2019 was staged at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.
There will be a fourth venue in the mix this year, as Soccer Aid 2021 will switch to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium.
Who will meet at Soccer Aid 2021?
An England side consisting of a mix of retired professional football players and public figures will face off football stars in a Rest of the World XI.
England and Manchester United hero Wayne Rooney will step out of retirement to captain the England team for this year’s annual charity event.
Playing alongside the 120-capped Three Lions great will be ex-internationals David James, Gary Neville, Ashley Cole, Paul Scholes and Emile Heskey.
Former female England stars Fara Williams and Kelly Smith will also be in the line-up.
Ex-United left-back Patrice Evra will feature for RWO XI alongside World Cup winner with Brazil, Roberto Carlos.
David Seaman and Micah Richards will lead England’s coaching set-up, while Harry Redknapp will be their RWO counterpart.
As for the celebrity contingent, Usain Bolt headlines the list that also features the likes of singers James Arthur, Tom Grennan and Olly Murs.
Paddy McGuinness, Ore Oduba, Kem Cetinay, Liv Cooke, Roman Kemp and Chunkz are the remaining celebrity faces, while Maya Jama returns as a pundit.
The game will kick off at 7:30pm with Dermot O’Leary and Football Focus presenter Alex Scott as hosts.
Alex Scott said: “I’m so excited for this! I’ve wanted to be involved in Soccer Aid for Unicef for many years, so I am delighted to be part of it now as pitch-side reporter.
“For years I’ve watched the games and it’s something that I know loads of people look forward to. It’ll be great to be back in a stadium with fans again – and all for such a great cause.”
Soccer Aid 2021 Tickets
Tickets for Soccer Aid 2021 are currently on sale, with prices varying between £10.5 for children under the age of 16 and £21 for adults.
Read: Tottenham Hotspur stadium set to host Anthony Joshua v Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.
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