Soccer Aid viewers left baffled by celebrity line-up as fans ask: ‘Who are they?’

Arsenal celebrate Premier League title on streets of London

Callum Vurley

By Callum Vurley


Published: 31/05/2026

- 20:41

Soccer Aid 2026 has seen a variety of professional retired footballers and celebrities play together

Soccer Aid returned on Sunday night for its 20th anniversary, bringing together football legends, celebrities and online personalities in support of UNICEF.

But while millions tuned in to watch stars including Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe and Joe Hart take to the pitch, some viewers were left scratching their heads over several of the celebrity names involved.


As the annual charity match aired from the London Stadium, social media quickly filled with comments from viewers admitting they had no idea who some of the younger stars and influencers were.

One viewer wrote on X: “Watching Soccer Aid and I must be getting old because I have absolutely no idea who half these celebrities are.”

The World XI saw a mixture of former pros and celebrities including Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Matic and Dimitar Berbatov alongside Nabhaan Rizwan, Behzinga and Dermot Kennedy\u200b

The World XI saw a mixture of former pros and celebrities including Edwin van der Sar, Nemanja Matic and Dimitar Berbatov alongside Nabhaan Rizwan, Behzinga and Dermot Kennedy

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GETTY

Another posted: “Who are these people playing at Soccer Aid? I recognise the ex-footballers but not the celebrities.”

A third joked: “Every year Soccer Aid reminds me how out of touch I am. No clue who some of these celebrities are.”

Others specifically mentioned internet personalities and content creators who have built huge followings online but are less familiar to traditional television audiences.

The divide highlighted the changing nature of celebrity culture.

While older viewers may instantly recognise football icons such as Rooney, Theo Walcott and Jill Scott, younger audiences are often more familiar with streamers, YouTubers and social media stars.

This year's Soccer Aid has seen a mixture of footballers both male and female take part as well as celebrities

This year's Soccer Aid has seen a mixture of footballers both male and female take part as well as celebrities

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GETTY

Among this year's celebrity participants were online personalities including Angry Ginge, one of the UK's biggest football content creators, alongside television stars, actors and musicians.

Soccer Aid's organisers have increasingly looked to recruit figures with large digital followings in an effort to attract younger viewers and supporters

Despite the confusion, the event's unique blend of famous faces and former professionals remains one of the reasons for its enduring popularity.

Comedians, radio DJs and influencers were among the celebrities playing at Soccer Aid

Comedians, radio DJs and influencers were among the celebrities playing at Soccer Aid

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GETTY

Founded by Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes in 2006, Soccer Aid has grown into one of the world's biggest charity football events, raising more than £100 million for UNICEF over the years.

The match combines sporting nostalgia with entertainment, regularly featuring former Premier League stars alongside actors, musicians, comedians and online creators

This year's edition was no different, with England and the World XI squads packed with household football names as well as celebrities from across television, music and social media.

For some viewers, however, the biggest challenge of the evening was not following the scoreline – it was working out exactly who some of the players were