WIREDGOV

An all-star line-up of footballing legends has been announced to play at the David Beckham Match for Children in aid of UNICEF at Old Trafford. 

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 Fabio Cannavaro, Patrick Vieira, Cafu, Luis Figo and Ronaldinho.

The latest list of players is as follows, with more still to be named:

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. If you would like to find out more or donate towards 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund visit 7.org or text SEVEN to 70111 to donate £3*.

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.

*By texting you consent to future telephone and SMS contact from Unicef.

Notes to editors:

For media accreditation requests, please contact Leanne Bartram leanne.bartram@manutd.co.uk by 12.00GMT, 12 November 2015. Details required: name, media organisation, media type, contact phone number, email address.

For ticketing and marketing information contact: Jon Duckworth jd@eightyone600.co.uk

For team and player information contact: Daniel Ullmann daniel@doyenglobal.com 

For more information regarding 7: The David Beckham UNICEF Fund, please contact: UNICEF UK Media Section, +44 207 375 6030, media@unicef.org.uk 

About UNICEF UK

UNICEF UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies, as well as lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK. For more information please visit unicef.org.uk

About UNICEF

UNICEF is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.