The lineup for Soccer Aid 2023 is officially out and among the various big names gracing the much-loved charity game, Jill Scott has been confirmed as this year’s England captain.
Former Euro 2022-winning Lioness, Manchester City star and Queen of the Jungle, Jill Scott will become the first woman to lead out England in the event’s history.
She will be joined by several other ex-England players such as Jack Wilshere, Gary Neville, Jermain Defoe; Paul Scholes and Gary Cahill, as well as fellow former Lionesses Karen Carney and Eni Aluko.
Teasing the announcement via social media on Monday, the 36-year-old said that she’d “had [her] fun but there’s just no feeling like playing football” — it didn’t take long for people to figure it out.
Scott’s Three Lions will also feature a whole host of celebrity names, including the likes of influencer Chunkz, comedians Alex Brooker and Paddy McGuinness; Olympian Sir Mo Farah, musician Tom Grennan and more.
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As for the World XI, another record-holding Olympian and Soccer Aid regular will be captaining the international team in Usain Bolt, with celebrities such as comic and competition vet Lee Mack, entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett, as well as four-time scorer Kem Cetinay all joining him.
With Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes once again co-managing England alongside Line of Duty and This Is England star, Vicky McClure, the home team will be hoping to get one over on Robbie Keane’s World XI. You can see the full Soccer Aid lineup for 2023 HERE.
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The visitors currently have six wins to England’s five since the inaugural Soccer Aid back in 2006.
Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott will be presenting this year’s Soccer Aid (Credit: ITV/Soccer Aid)
As for the captain herself, ‘Big Jill’, she told ITV: “The Euros, The Jungle and now Soccer Aid for UNICEF – it’s the holy trinity. I’ve won two of them, so just need Soccer Aid now to complete ‘The Treble’!”
Soccer Aid 2023 returns to Old Trafford once again on Sunday, 11 June, with crowds of around 74,000 expected to pile into the stadium. It will be broadcast on ITV and kick-off is set for 7:30pm.
Popular Manchester attraction offering FREE entry to anyone who shares a name with these England players
Emily Sergeant
A popular Manchester attraction is offering people the chance to visit for free this summer… but only if they have certain names.
That’s right – Museum of Illusions is giving football fans an extra reason to celebrate every goal this summer, as the city centre attraction is offering free entry to anyone whose first name matches that of a Three Lions player that scores in an England fixture.
So if Harry Kane scores, all Harrys are in. If Jude Bellingham gets on the scoresheet, Judes can claim a free ticket. The same goes for Anthony, Ollie, or any other England player who bags a goal as the tournament foes on, meaning thousands more fans will be able to have their minds blown and let their imaginations run wild this summer.
The offer will run from tomorrow (Thursday 18 June) until 18 July – with the list of eligible names growing every time an England player finds the back of the net.
To claim their free ticket, visitors simply need to show valid photo ID at the admissions desk confirming their first name matches that of a confirmed England goalscorer.
Located on Market Street at the heart of the city centre, Museum of Illusions features more than 50 interactive exhibits designed to challenge perception and trick the senses.
Proving to be hugely popular since opening its doors back in 2024, visitors to Museum of Illusions can explore gravity-defying rooms, optical illusions, immersive installations, and holograms that create unforgettable photo opportunities for families and friends (and football fans) alike.
Free entry to Museum of Illusions in Manchester will be granted until 18 July 2026, and you can find out more info and opening times before you visit here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Sport
A massive World Cup ‘playground’ with pitches and big screens has opened in Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
A massive World Cup ‘playground’ has now opened in Greater Manchester.
Ahead of England’s first match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup tonight against Croatia, MediaCity has announced its biggest programme of events to date to celebrate – from a baller league-style football pitch, to big name creator takeovers, and much more.
But at the heart of all the action is the new World Cup ‘playground’, where football fans will be able to play five-a-side on a bespoke pitch, while watching matches on giant screens.
As the home of the BBC’s World Cup coverage, MediaCity says it’s ‘going big’ this summer, and that includes bringing some of the UK’s biggest Gen Z creators down for full takeovers and tournaments, and even getting the BBC pundits involved in the action too.
A massive World Cup ‘playground’ has opened in Greater Manchester / Credit: Sophia Carey (Supplied)
There’ll also be a pop-up gaming hub with EA FC tournaments for fans to play along, as well as community football sessions for young people organised by Manchester United Foundation and Foundation 92, providing opportunities for local talent to learn from the best in the business and develop their skills in a safe and inclusive environment.
Fans can also enjoy live music, DJ sets, and football-themed quizzes to get the atmosphere building, as well as tuck into tasty street food from the traders at the newly opened GRUB On The Docks.
And of course, the place will be packed with photo opportunities and fan installations too.
“As the nerve centre of BBC’s World Cup coverage, we’re turning MediaCity into the ultimate football playground,” commented Alice Webb, who is the CEO of MediaCity.
“As well as broadcasting the World Cup, MediaCity will unite fans, families and communities, bringing them closer to the action with in-person experiences throughout the tournament. Combining our world-class media platform with unrivalled public experiences is what makes us different.
Danny Jones -
7th March 2023 
