Soccer Aid star Wayne Rooney 'can't wait' as he joins famous faces on pitch for training session

Wayne Rooney has been photographed on the pitch alongside some familiar faces ahead of this year's Soccer Aid for UNICEF. 2026 marks 20 years of the iconic event, which sees football legends team up with some much-loved celebrities for one of the most highly-anticipated charity events of the year. Created by Robbie Williams in 2006, Soccer Aid has got bigger and better every year. UNICEF works with local partners, communities and governments to support children and families across the world. On Sunday May 31, England will face the Soccer Aid World XI FC at London Stadium.

The event, hosted by Alex Scott and Dermot O'Leary, will also be broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX for people to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes. Training is well underway ahead of the match on Sunday. Those featured in this year's England line-up include social media stars Angry Ginge and Sam Thompson, as well as football legends Wayne Rooney and Jill Scott. Over on World XI are singers Dermot Kennedy and Nicky Byrne as well as former players Jordi Alba and Dimitar Berbatov.

The stars have been practising and getting to know each other as training kickstarted today. Singer Olly Murs recently shared a phot o alongside Wayne Rooney and actor Damson Idris, best known for his role as Joshua Pearce in the F1 movie, and Franklin Saint in TV series Snowfall . The three England players were dressed in the white and black training kit as they posed for a snap during the session. Olly added the caption which said: "Just like that… Soccer Aid’26 is here.

Wazza and Damson Idris." Taking to the comments, fans couldn't help but express their excitement. One said: "Excited for Sunday [heart eyes and football emoji]" while a second wrote: "Can’t wait to see you play Sunday." A third added: "It’s that time of year again" and a fourth said: "Love this!! Looking forward to watching this on Sunday." Damson is gearing up for his first Soccer Aid, but it won't be Wayne or Olly's first time on the pitch. They've been part of the star-studded team on several occasions.

Wayne recently reflected on the opportunity to represent England for the 20th anniversary of Soccer Aid. He said: “I can’t wait for this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF and to pull on the England shirt one more time for the twentieth anniversary. It’s England against World XI at the London Stadium on 31st May and this year we want nothing less than an England win." He shared it's an important day in the calendar for the Rooney family, he said: "Me, Coleen and the boys love the atmosphere and the brilliant family occasion that Soccer Aid for UNICEF always is. "The kids enjoy seeing football legends alongside their favourite celebrities and influencers on the same pitch." He added: “Last year, Coleen travelled to Poland with UNICEF and saw first-hand how the money raised is supporting children with disabilities who fled the war in Ukraine, so they can continue their education and simply be kids once again.

So please buy a ticket and support this amazing cause, which changes children’s lives around the world.”