Gareth Bale And Football Legends Ignite Golf Rivalry In Bangkok

The much-anticipated Reignwood Icons of Football returns to the fairways of Reignwood Park Golf Course in Bangkok this weekend, promising an electrifying blend of footballing legends, competitive banter, and Ryder Cup-style golf drama. With the event teeing off on January 31 and running through February 1, 2026, fans across the globe are tuning in, eager to see if Team England can repeat their emphatic victory from last year or if Team World, led by the ever-competitive Gareth Bale, will turn the tide.

This isn’t your run-of-the-mill golf tournament. Instead, it’s a collision of sporting worlds, as 24 former professional footballers swap boots for spikes and split into two squads: Team England and Team World. Each team boasts a star-studded line-up, with past Premier League, Champions League, and World Cup winners all vying for glory. The event’s unique twist? Both sides are captained by former Ryder Cup icons—Danny Willett, the 2016 Masters champion, helms Team England, while Thomas Bjorn, Europe’s victorious 2018 Ryder Cup captain, leads Team World.

For Gareth Bale, the stakes are personal. The Welsh superstar, who guided Wales to a memorable Euro 2016 run, has never shied away from stoking the rivalry with England. In the lead-up to this year’s Icons of Football, Bale didn’t mince words: “Is there anything better than beating England? As a Welshman, the only thing better than beating England is beating them badly. Let’s try to beat them. Hopefully, they are not lifting the trophy at the end of the week. Golf is a game of respect, but I want to win.” According to Bale, the cream-colored jacket awarded to the winners—this tournament’s answer to Augusta’s iconic Green Jacket—is the ultimate prize. “I have heard about the cream jacket. I saw some videos, and it looks a bit brutal. I guess that’s the golden nugget to try to do that. It would be nice for Theo to be putting it on me. Arsenal is putting it on Tottenham's shoulders. That would be nice.”

Bale’s competitive fire is matched by his sense of humor and nostalgia. Nearly a decade after his unforgettable 35-yard free kick against England’s Joe Hart at Euro 2016, the pair find themselves on opposite sides once again—this time, trading soccer balls for golf clubs. Hart, who famously admitted he should have saved that shot, will be hoping to even the score on the greens. But Bale couldn’t resist a jab: “But he didn’t… Hopefully, they’ll let another one slip in during the match this week. To score against England was amazing. Obviously, the result wasn’t what we wanted. But we actually topped the group. So there’s a win over England already. The free kick was moving, and it went away from him. It wasn’t one of the easiest ones, even though maybe it looked easy. It’s always nice to score for my country, especially in such a big game in a major tournament.”

Despite his five Champions League titles with Real Madrid and a reputation as a scratch golfer, Bale remains humble about his legacy. “I don’t call myself an icon. When people do call you that, it’s a bit strange. You go back to your childhood, and you’re watching the superstars play on TV, winning trophies and playing for the biggest clubs in the world. When you finish, you’re able to look back and see, ‘Oh, I actually did that.’ It’s cool when somebody does say it. It gives you a nice feeling about what you achieved in your career.”

Team World isn’t just about Bale. The squad features a dazzling array of international talent: Gabriel Batistuta, Ryan Giggs, David Ginola, Ruud Gullit, Nigel de Jong, Henrik Larsson, Aaron Ramsey, John Arne Riise, Andriy Shevchenko, Dwight Yorke, and Gianfranco Zola. Each brings their own brand of flair and competitive edge to the course, making Team World a formidable opponent.

On the other side, Team England is stacked with household names: Jimmy Bullard, Andy Cole, Robbie Fowler, Joe Hart, Paul Ince, Phil Jagielka, Jermaine Jenas, Phil Jones, Lee Sharpe, Teddy Sheringham, John Terry, and Theo Walcott. Michael Carrick was originally slated to compete, but withdrew after taking the helm as Manchester United’s head coach. That leaves a blend of attacking prowess, defensive steel, and locker-room banter to carry England’s hopes.

The format itself is designed for drama. Over four sessions across two days, teams face off in a variety of match play formats: opening fourballs, two greensomes sessions, and a final round of singles. All matches are contested over 10 holes—short, sharp, and unpredictable. Each win nets a point, with bonus points awarded for dominant victories (4up or more) and for key moments, like a viewer-selected “shot of the day.” Adding to the tension, the 10th and final hole in every match is worth double, and “away” holes offer teams a chance to snatch extra points. It’s a scoring system that guarantees every shot matters, right down to the last putt.

Last year, Team England romped to a 72-33 win, dominating the final round of singles and sending Team World home with plenty to ponder. But with fresh faces, renewed rivalries, and a year’s worth of bragging rights on the line, anything can happen this time around. The cream jacket is more than just a trophy—it’s a symbol of supremacy, and for players like Bale, it’s a matter of pride.

Fans eager to catch the action can tune in live on Sky Sports Golf, with coverage starting at 1am UK time on both Saturday and Sunday. The opening fourballs session kicks off at 8.30am local time (1.30am UK), with subsequent sessions running throughout the day. Viewers can also stream the event via the Sky Sports app or NOW, ensuring no one misses a moment, whether at home or on the go.

As the opening tee shots loom, anticipation is sky-high. Will Team England cement their dominance, or will Gareth Bale and Team World pull off a stirring upset in Bangkok? With legends on both sides, a unique format, and more than a little friendly trash talk, the Icons of Football promises a weekend of unforgettable sporting theatre. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds—because in this Ryder Cup of the footballing world, reputations, rivalries, and perhaps a little bit of history are all on the line.