With matchday almost upon us for the world’s biggest charity football match, general admission tickets are sold out for Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2024 but the last remaining VIP hospitality tickets are available starting from £80 including VAT.

Four-time Chelsea Player of the Year Eden Hazard is set for his first appearance in the annual fundraiser, which on Sunday evening takes place at Stamford Bridge for the second time after a five-year interval.

Will 2024’s event prove to be as closely contested as in 2019?

Soccer Aid memories

Stamford Bridge was far from its usual mid-June quiet that night five years ago, with a sell-out crowd packing the stands, and it was certainly no surprise to hear loud cheers for the likes of John Terry and Didier Drogba when they were introduced before kick-off, with Katie Chapman, Michael Essien, Ricardo Carvalho, Joe Cole and Glen Johnson all boosting the Chelsea contingent.

Hollywood star Tom Hanks kicked the match off before Usain Bolt, sporting his world-record 100m time of 9.58 as his shirt number, attempted to sprint through on goal, only to find that a defence with JT in charge dealt with the danger.

Essien, after a familiar surge, had a shot saved, as did Chelsea fan and TV and radio presenter Marvin Humes, but freestyler Jeremy Lynch scored twice for the England side. Before half-time, Bolt halved that lead with a tidy finish after Jamie Carragher let a ball bounce over his head.

A Carragher block later prevented the goal the Chelsea fans really wanted to see from Drogba but the World XI did find the net again. Former Love Island contestant Kem made the final score 2-2 with a late equaliser.

So onto penalties the charity contest went – all taken by celebrities, denying Drogba a repeat of his magical Munich moment. The England side had already missed two when comedian Lee Mack, with his own 95.8 take on the Bolt shirt number on his back, saw his attempt was saved. The night belonged to the World XI side.

Back to the present day

Three more of our former Players of the Season in Karen Carney, Petr Cech and Joe Cole will be in action on Sunday as an England XI again takes on a World XI, as will trophy-lifting captain Gary Cahill, John Mikel Obi and Michael Essien. There are familiar names in the management teams too.

They will be joined by other famous faces from football and the wider sporting and entertainment world, including Jill Scott, Mo Farah, Stuart Broad, Usain Bolt, Sam Quek, King of the Jungle Sam Thompson, Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier, plus many more.

Created by Robbie Williams in 2006, Soccer Aid for UNICEF helps children worldwide have the best possible start in life.

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