Tyson Fury and Wayne Rooney to form knockout team

It’s a knockout line-up for this year’s Soccer Aid for Unicef at Old Trafford as former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury teams up with Manchester United’s all-time record goal-scorer, Wayne Rooney.

The pair will co-manage England who take on Soccer Aid World XI FC in the charity game this summer.

“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!,” said Fury. “ENGLAND MANAGER! Who would ever have thought it!?

“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!?”

Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025 which takes place on Sunday 15th of June at Old Trafford, Manchester. Photographed by Daniel Hambury for UNICEF UK and Soccer Aid Productions. ©UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures

As well as managing the squad Rooney will be taking a place on the pitch. “Obviously it’s great to lace-up the old boots again – and see some old friends – but the cause is the real reason we are doing this,” he said. “UNICEF needs our help. So, I promise we’ll put on a show for you this June if you buy your tickets to help raise money for UNICEF and for children around the world. I enjoyed the last time I was involved at Soccer Aid so much that when the call came for the 2025 match it was a really easy decision!

“I’m a big boxing fan, so to do it alongside Tyson Fury is fantastic. It really sums up how brilliant Soccer Aid is. We have this in common: we’ll both be taking it incredibly seriously!”

Tyson Fury (right) is England Manager and Wayne Rooney is Player-Manager (left) for UNICEF 2025, which takes place on Sunday 15th of June at Old Trafford, Manchester. Photographed by Daniel Hambury for UNICEF UK and Soccer Aid Productions. ©UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures — Tyson Fury (right) is England Manager and Wayne Rooney is Player-Manager (left) for UNICEF 2025, which takes place on Sunday 15th of June at Old Trafford, Manchester. Photographed by Daniel Hambury for UNICEF UK and Soccer Aid Productions.
©UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures

It’s yet to be seen if Rooney can persuade ‘The Gypsy King’ to join him although Fury did tease fans this week with cryptic messages of him walking out at Old Trafford.

Joining Rooney on the pitch for England are: David James (Goalkeeper Coach); Joe Hart (Professional Goalkeeper); Paddy McGuinness (Celebrity Goalkeeper); Gary Neville; Paul Scholes; Jermain Defoe; Jill Scott; Steph Houghton; Toni Duggan; Tom Grennan; Sam Thompson; Sam Quek; Steven Bartlett; Sir Mo Farah; Louis Tomlinson; Angry Ginge and UNICEF UK High Profile Supporter, Alex Brooker.

“Manchester! It’s about ten years since I last turned out for Soccer Aid, so I thought it was about time I returned to the pitch,” said Louis Tomlinson. “As everyone knows, I am a massive football fan so playing with some legends of the game is a dream come true. Wayne Rooney with Tyson Fury in the manager’s seat – it’s gonna [sic] be a good one! It’s all for an amazing cause: UNICEF”.

Louis Thomlinson is playing for England at Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025, which takes place on Sunday 15th of June at Old Trafford, Manchester. Photographed by Daniel Hambury for UNICEF UK and Soccer Aid Productions. ©UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures

“I don’t run around quite as much as I used to, which is why I play in goal now,” said Paddy McGuinness. “I’m representing all the dads out there, which is funny because the game takes places on Father’s Day this year – Sunday 15 June.

“This year’s Soccer Aid match at Old Trafford is going to be an absolute belter! I genuinely love this event – it’s a highlight of the year for me. I’ve been involved for many years now and still can’t believe it has become the world’s biggest charity football match.”

Since 2006 Soccer Aid for UNICEF has raised more than £106 million for the charity supporting its life-changing work around the world like providing clean water, vital vaccinations and the opportunity for children to learn.

More famous faces are set to be revealed in the coming weeks but those announced today for the Soccer Aid World XI FC are: Leonardo Bonucci; Kaylyn Kyle; Nadia Nadim and Diamond (Livi Sheldon).

Leonardo Bonucci is playing for Soccer Aid World XI FC at Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2025, which takes place on Sunday 15th of June at Old Trafford, Manchester. Photographed by Daniel Hambury for UNICEF UK and Soccer Aid Productions. ©UNICEF/Soccer Aid Productions/Stella Pictures

Leonardo Bonucci said: “I’m honoured to represent the Soccer Aid World XI FC – as a proud Italian!. I’ve heard so much about this great event over the years, so I’m really happy to finally make my contribution to this great cause”.

But while raising money for UNICEF is the uniting factor Bonucci couldn’t resist bringing a little rivalry to the game.

“I’ll do everything I can to make things difficult for some of my great rivals – in particular: Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes,” he said.

“I am so looking forward to seeing the Theatre of Dreams full of passionate fans. I know it’s a charity game – but I want to win, badly! I just hope I don’t make Tyson Fury too angry in the process!”