The line-up for this year’s Soccer Aid for UNICEF has just grown even bigger — and younger — with Adolescence star Owen Cooper confirmed as the youngest ever player to take part in the charity match.
The 16-year-old actor will join a 32-strong squad at London Stadium on Sunday, May 31, as the event celebrates its 20th anniversary. It marks a major moment not only for Cooper personally, but for the long-running fundraising fixture, which has become one of the biggest nights in the UK charity calendar.
Cooper said he was honoured to be selected for the milestone year.
“I'm incredibly proud to be playing at Soccer Aid for UNICEF in its twentieth anniversary year.”
Reflecting on the event’s longevity, he added:
“I wasn't even born when the first Soccer Aid took place but I'm a big fan. Becoming the youngest player to take part is a real honour and I'm excited to step out at the London Stadium.”
He also underlined the importance of the cause behind the spectacle:
“This event raises vital funds to help children grow up safe, healthy and able to play – and I'm grateful to be part of such an important cause.”
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Founded in 2006 by Robbie Williams and Jonathan Wilkes, Soccer Aid was initially conceived as a one-off celebrity football match. Instead, it evolved into a biennial — and now annual — sporting event that blends entertainment, nostalgia and serious fundraising power. Since its launch, the match has raised more than £121 million for UNICEF, supporting programmes that protect vulnerable children worldwide.
Over two decades, the fixture has attracted a rotating cast of football legends and high-profile celebrities, dividing them into England and World XI teams. Past participants have included icons from sport, music, film and television, helping to turn the event into prime-time viewing across Britain and Ireland.
This year’s anniversary edition is no exception. Alongside Cooper, confirmed names include GK Barry, AngryGinge, and actor Tom Hiddleston. Footballing pedigree will also be on show, with former England captain Wayne Rooney returning to the pitch.
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The star-studded squad extends further, with Damson Idris, Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt, radio presenter Jordan North, rugby union player Joe Marler, singer Olly Murs, comedian Paddy McGuinness, rapper and chef Big Zuu, comedian Richard Gadd, stand-up comic Maisie Adam, and Nitro from the BBC’s Gladiators all set to show off their skills.
Adding to the occasion, Robbie Williams, now a long-serving UNICEF UK Ambassador, will take on a managerial role for the England side. He will be able to call on rugby star Joe Marler as his celebrity goalkeeper — a crossover that underlines the event’s light-hearted but competitive spirit.
While the match itself delivers plenty of entertainment — dramatic goals, unlikely saves and the occasional pitch invasion from over-enthusiastic fans — its central purpose remains fundraising. Proceeds go towards UNICEF’s global work providing emergency food, healthcare, education and protection to children affected by poverty, conflict and climate crises.
For Owen Cooper, stepping onto the pitch at just 16 places him in rare company and signals how the event continues to evolve with new generations of talent. His comment that he “wasn’t even born” when the first match took place neatly captures the passage of time — and the enduring relevance of the fundraiser.
Two decades on from its launch, Soccer Aid has shifted from novelty concept to established institution. With over £121 million raised and counting, the 20th anniversary match promises not just star power, but a reminder of what sustained public support can achieve.
And for its youngest-ever player, the moment will likely be unforgettable — not just for the football, but for being part of a cause that has now spanned an entire generation.
