Soccer Aid 2026 LIVE: England vs World XI score, match stream and latest updates today | OneFootball

Annual charity match returns to London to raise money for UNICEF

Jermain Defoe scored two goals and assisted a third as England eked out a narrow win over World XI at Soccer Aid 2026. Two star-studded sides met at the London Stadium as the Three Lions looked to bounce back from last year’s ignominious defeat at Old Trafford and they achieved that goal with aplomb.

Actor Damson Idris scored the only goal of a nervy first-half, and ex-Tottenham and Sunderland striker twice lobbed Chris O’Dowd to put England three goals clear in the second half. They threatened a late collapse after strikes from Michael Essien and Tim Cahill brought World XI within one, but the hosts got the result over the line to reclaim the bragging rights.

Most importantly, the day wax a resounding success in terms of raising money for UNICEF. After countless appeals from the great and the good of the entertainment and sports industries - not to mention an exclusive performance of Robbie Williams’ hit single ‘Feel’ - a scarcely believable £16,462,353 went into the hat for the United Nations’ childrens charity. Catch up with the action from the London Stadium as it happened below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!