Soccer Aid 2025, the much-anticipated charity football match held at Old Trafford on June 15, brought together a star-studded lineup of celebrities and former professional athletes to raise funds for UNICEF. The event, which has raised over £100 million since its inception in 2006, featured a thrilling contest between England XI and World XI, with the latter emerging victorious in a narrow 5-4 win.
One of the most talked-about moments of the evening came before the match even kicked off, when Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight boxing champion and co-manager of the England team alongside Wayne Rooney, inadvertently caused a stir by dropping an F-bomb during a live broadcast. Speaking passionately in the England dressing room, Fury exclaimed, "We are f*ing Spartans! We are Spartans!" This unexpected outburst caught many off guard, including fellow co-manager Harry Redknapp, who also swore while trying to contain his laughter.
ITV presenters Alex Scott and Dermot O'Leary were quick to apologise to viewers for the language. Scott said, "We do apologise for the swearing. It’s Tyson, we don’t know what’s going to happen," while O'Leary added, "We do profusely apologise." Despite the apology, the incident sparked a mixed reaction on social media, with some fans finding it humorous and others expressing concern over the timing and language on a family-friendly broadcast.
Tyson Fury's enthusiasm for the event was palpable. Upon being announced as England's manager, he remarked, "ENGLAND MANAGER! Who would ever have thought it!? I have had some big fights in my career, and the prospect of leading my England team to victory this June fills me with just as much excitement as any heavyweight fight! Everyone knows that I am a huge Manchester United fan too, so it’s even more special for me that the game is at Old Trafford this year—and I get to manage one of my heroes, Wayne Rooney! How can we lose!? The work UNICEF does all around the world is so special and so important. I really hope that you can come along and support us this summer." His passion was evident as he motivated the team, even if his language was a bit too colorful for primetime TV.
England's lineup featured an eclectic mix of talent, blending football legends with celebrities. Alongside Rooney, who scored England’s opening goal, the team included Louis Tomlinson, Jill Scott, Jermain Defoe, Sir Mo Farah, Steven Bartlett, and Paddy McGuinness guarding the net. The World XI boasted stars such as Big Zuu, Dermot Kennedy, Tony Bellew, and Gorka Márquez, with former Manchester United teammates Nemanja Vidic, Edwin van der Sar, and Carlos Tevez also making appearances.
Carlos Tevez was a standout performer for World XI, netting an impressive four goals in the match. The game was a high-scoring affair with plenty of excitement, ultimately culminating in Big Zuu scoring the winning goal to seal a 5-4 victory for World XI.
Sam Thompson, a podcaster and reality TV star, was set to play for England but had to withdraw due to injuries sustained during a remarkable charity challenge the week prior. Thompson had raised over £2 million for UNICEF by running and cycling 260 miles from London to Manchester in just five days, transporting the match ball as part of the "Match Ball Mission." Despite his injury, he joined the management team and later made a tearful appearance on the pitch in the final minutes, receiving a warm ovation from the crowd.
The coaching staff for England included not only Fury and Rooney but also Harry Redknapp and actress Vicky McClure, with former goalkeeper David James serving as goalkeeping coach. The atmosphere at Old Trafford was electric, with fans thrilled to see such a unique blend of personalities come together for a worthy cause.
Commentators Jason Manford and Sam Matterface kept the mood light during the broadcast, especially when revisiting Fury's colorful pre-match speech. Manford joked, "They’ve taken the microphone off Tyson," while Matterface acknowledged that although the speech was "explicit-laden," it was delivered with "good intentions." Fury himself laughed off questions about his managerial influence, admitting that he had mostly been "standing in the box, screaming, shouting, and st like that."
Robbie Williams, the founder of Soccer Aid, announced that this year’s event had raised an astonishing £15,280,163 for UNICEF. The funds will support vital programs aimed at improving the lives of children worldwide, underscoring the event's importance beyond the football pitch.
Soccer Aid 2025 was not just a match but a celebration of sportsmanship, celebrity camaraderie, and charitable spirit. From the raucous pre-match speeches to the thrilling on-field action, the event captured the hearts of fans and raised significant funds for a noble cause. While World XI took home the win, the real victory was the collective effort to support UNICEF’s mission around the globe.
