David Beckham UNICEF Charity Match 2015: Date, Live Stream, TV Info and Squads
Some of the most iconic names in the history of football will pit their wits against each other as part of a charity match hosted by David Beckham at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The game, dubbed as the Match for Children, will be played between a Great Britain & Ireland XI and a World XI and represents Beckham’s homecoming after his quest to play seven games of football on seven different continents.
The Old Trafford pitch will be graced by a host of the midfielder's former Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan team-mates, meaning those in attendance should be in for a treat.
TOP NEWS
Madrid Fines Players $590K 😲
'Mbappé Out' Petition Gaining Steam 😳
Star-Studded World Cup Ad 🤩
With names like Zinedine Zidane, Luis Figo and Ronaldinho all set to turn out, this is a match that looks tailor made to banish the international-break blues.
Here’s a look at the two squads that’ll be involved in the game, what to expect on the day and all the key viewing details for the contest.
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: 3 p.m. (GMT), 10 a.m. (ET)
Live Stream: MyEye App (UK)
TV Info: Highlights on BBC One at 10 p.m. (GMT)
| David Beckham (C) | Zinedine Zidane (C) |
| David Seaman (GK) | Edwin van der Saar (GK) |
| David James (GK) | Cafu |
| Sol Campbell | Fabio Cannavaro |
| John Terry | Alessandro Nesta |
| Phil Neville | Luis Figo |
| Rio Ferdinand | Ronaldinho |
| Jamie Carragher | Patrick Vieira |
| Ashley Cole | Michael Ballack |
| Nicky Butt | Massimo Ambrosini |
| Paul Scholes | Robert Pires |
| Ryan Giggs | Dwight Yorke |
| Michael Owen | Patrick Kluivert |
| Ole Gunnar Solskjaer | |
| Landon Donovan | |
| Sir Alex Ferguson (Manager) | Carlo Ancelotti (Manager) |
Stellar Names To Turn Out at Old Trafford
Although those fans who frequent Old Trafford are used to seeing some of the biggest names in world football, there will have never been a collection of superstar players on the pitch at the same time quite like this in the stadium’s illustrious history.
Leading out the British & Irish XI will be Beckham, while legendary United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will be in the dug-out for this contest.
The squad looks in pretty handy shape, too. John Terry is still a regular first-team player at Chelsea, while Ashley Cole is still playing in Serie A for Roma.
In addition, players such as Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Rio Ferdinand are all not too long retired, meaning getting about the pitch may not be too much of a chore for their ageing legs.
United’s former poacher Andy Cole was set to lead the line for the British & Irish XI on the day alongside Michael Owen, but he revealed on his Twitter account in the build-up that he wouldn’t be able to feature:
While there are some excellent players lining up for Beckham’s side, the World XI—skippered by Zidane—looks very special.
Managed by Italian great Carlo Ancelotti, the likes of Ronaldinho, Figo, Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta will be in attendance for this one.
It’s a squad which certainly has much more of an aura about it than the one assembled by Beckham, but of all the illustrious names, Ronaldinho is the only player not retired.
Still, there’s plenty to get excited about. On Manchester United’s Instagram account, Beckham revealed the prospect of going up against Zidane has got him itching to take to the field:
Given the good cause the match is in aid of, it’s little surprise there is such an illustrious turnout, as Beckham has been on a global tour looking to raise awareness for children’s charity UNICEF.
There are plenty of fans who will be hoping to see the midfielder bend in a trademark free-kick on the day, too.
The Manchester United Twitter feed provided us with this reminder of some of Beckham’s finest set pieces to whet the appetite for Saturday’s game:
Aside from raising money for a good cause, these games make for wonderful viewing. Despite being retired, these greats of the game don’t lose those inherent footballing abilities, and as such, we'll be treated to some moments of genius to stir memories of games gone by.
Picking a victor is tough without knowing too much about the respective fitness of each squad.
On talent alone, the World XI might feel as though they have enough to get a victory in this one, however, with two players still at peak fitness and a few more who have only recently halted their playing days, expect Beckham’s British & Irish XI to edge this one.
Prediction: British & Irish XI 3-2 World XI
