An all-star line-up of footballing legends has today been announced to play at the David Beckham Match for Children in aid of UNICEF at Old Trafford, United Kingdom.
Some of the biggest names in football will come together for the one-off match on Saturday 14 November 2015 to raise awareness and funds for UNICEF’s work for the world’s most vulnerable children.
The Great Britain and Ireland team will be captained by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham and managed by fellow UNICEF Ambassador Sir Alex Ferguson. The team includes a galaxy of footballing stars including Manchester United players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Phil Neville.
The Rest of the World XI, led by Zinedine Zidane and managed by Carlo Ancelotti, will also field some of the best players to have graced the game from European Champions to World Cup winners including Cafu, Luis Figo and Ronaldinho.
The latest list of players is as follows, with more still to be announced:
GB and Ireland
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
Captain: David Beckham
David Seaman
David James
Sol Campbell
John Terry
Phil Neville
Rio Ferdinand
Jamie Carragher
Ashley Cole
Nicky Butt
Paul Scholes
Ryan Giggs
Michael Owen
Andy Cole
Rest of the World
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
Captain: Zinedine Zidane
Edwin van der Saar
Cafu
Fabio Cannavaro
Alessandro Nesta
Luis Figo
Ronaldinho
Patrick Vieira
Michael Ballack
Massimo Ambrosini
Robert Pires
Dwight Yorke
Patrick Kluivert
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Landon Donovan
Italian legend Pierluigi Collina, who was named FIFA’s ‘Best Referee of the Year’ for six consecutive years during a renowned career, will referee the match.
David commented “It’s incredible that we’re going to be bringing so many of the world’s greatest footballers together under one roof for this match. All the players who will set foot on the Old Trafford turf know just how important this cause is and why UNICEF needs our support to help give children and young people a fair chance in life. Every day children across the world are at risk of violence, poverty and disease – I believe we can change this and take action to make sure children grow up safe from these dangers. This match is a fantastic opportunity to take steps forward and raise awareness and vital funds to help improve the lives of children across the world.”
Money raised through profits from ticket sales and donations made on match day will go to UNICEF’s work providing lifesaving care including protection, health and nutrition for some of the world’s most vulnerable children. To donate to UNICEF’s work, click here.
Earlier this year, David marked his 10th year as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador with the launch of 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund and made a personal commitment to use his voice, influence and connections to raise vital funds, fight inequality and rally for lasting change for the world’s most vulnerable children across every region of the world.
Over the past decade David Beckham has helped UNICEF promote and protect the rights of children. He has raised global awareness of the dangers children are facing around the world including malnutrition, Ebola, HIV/AIDS, violence and the devastating effects of natural disasters. He has travelled to see UNICEF’s work, meeting children and their families in Sierra Leone, South Africa, Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia. In September 2015, David joined United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake to unveil a digital installation that brought the voices of children and young people to the heart of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Match for Children will kick off at 15:00GMT on 14 November 2015. Tickets are now sold out. Hospitality packages are still available to purchase.
