Soccer Aid 2024: Who is Maisie Adam playing for World XI?

Soccer Aid returns for another year with the star-studded football match expected to be watched by millions on TV.

An England and World XI featuring former professional footballers and celebrities will play each other to raise money for charity.

Tickets have been snatched up for the game at Stamford Bridge on Sunday 9 June where funds will aid charity UNICEF who help support children to have happy and healthy lives.

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Among those lacing up their boots this month is comedian Maisie Adam, is taking part for a second year running. She will be joined by the likes of starring teammates Usain Bolt (Captain), Lee Mack, Roman Kemp, Jesus Perez (coach) and Diamond for the World XI group.

Maisie embarked on a sold out 63-date tour in 2022 to her most recent show ‘Buzzed’ which completed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Over the years she has brought her witty charm on several TV appearances such as Live At The Apollo, Mock the Week, 8 out of 10 Cats, Have I got News for You, QI and the Royal Variety Performance.

Since the Yorkshire Comedian won the nationwide So You Think You’re Funny? competition in 2017, she has also won Best New Act at the Chortle Awards and was nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe for her debut show ‘Vague’.

Leeds United fan Maisie, 30, is also co-host to the Big Kick Energy podcast and is set to perform across the country for her new ‘Maisie Adam: Appraisal’ tour later this year.

Maisie married partner Mike Dobinson in June 2023 - just hours before her Soccer Aid appearance last year. Speaking ahead of this year's Soccer Aid Maisie said: "I get to play my favourite sport on the planet, with the biggest heroes of mine from that sport.

There is no other event that brings together so many people from sport and entertainment. You almost feel like you’ve won a competition to be there and it’s all for an amazing cause."

On who she thinks could be a threat this year, Maisie added: "Steven Bartlett is a great player. Last year he was on the Soccer Aid World XI team with us and he unfortunately got an injury and had to pull out. Then I saw he was doing it this year and I thought this is great but now he’s gone to England! I can’t believe it. They have no idea what they’ve got there, he is a real threat."

Soccer Aid has raised over £90m to aid UNICEF in helping support millions of children around the world to have healthy and happy childhoods. The money raised from this year’s game could help UNICEF protect children from disease and malnutrition, support their mental health and respond in times of crisis.

Maisie will also see the likes of Martin Compston, Theo Baker, Tommy Fury, Eden Hazard Roberto Carlos, Kaylyn Kyle, John Obi Mikel, Jason Manford, Petr Cech, Patrice Evra and Michel Essein alongside her on the World XI team.

The World XI team will be looking to claim their sixth victory in a row over the England team in 2018.

Players for the England team include Sir Mo Farah and Steven Bartlett joining footballing legends Jermain Defoe, Jill Scott (Captain), David James (Professional Goalkeeper), Gary Cahill, Joe Cole and Karen Carney.

There will also be stars Sam Thompson, Bobby Brazier, Eden Hazard, Stuart Broad, Miniminter, Paddy McGuiness (Celebrity Goalkeeper), David Seaman (Goalkeeping Coach), Tom Grennan, Jack Wilshere, Alex Brooker, Erin Doherty, Steven Bartlett, Danny Dyer, Theo Walcott and Ellen White on the pitch.

Frank Lampard joins Harry Redknapp and Robbie Williams as England manager and facing them down will be Mauricio Pochettino, returning as manager for Soccer Aid World XI.

Soccer Aid takes place on Sunday 9 June at Stamford Bridge.