Soccer Aid star wasn't invited back after incident received 'string of complaints'

One of the Premier League's greatest ever players has the unwanted record of being the only player to have been dropped from Soccer Aid in the charity fixture's 20-year run.

The UNICEF game returns in May with the next instalment of the rivalry between England and the Rest of the World, with West Ham's London Stadium hosting the action.

A total of 30 footballers and celebrities have been confirmed to be involved in the game, which will see Robbie Williams go up against Olympic icon and world's fastest man Usain Bolt in the dug-out.

Jordi Alba leads the football debutants alongside female stars Jen Beattie and Ali Krieger, who will all play for the Rest of the World.

Wayne Rooney, Jermain Defoe, Theo Walcott, Toni Duggan, Joe Hart and Steph Houghton are among the England stars, while history will be made as actor Owen Cooper becomes the youngest ever player and first ever teenager.

30 names have been confirmed for 2026 Soccer Aid. Image: Soccer Aid

Cooper, who earned a plethora of awards for an incredible first ever acting role in Netflix hit Adolescence, was not born when the first Soccer Aid took place in 2006.

Names confirmed for 2026 Soccer Aid

Angry Ginge

GK Barry

Leonardo Bonucci

Jermain Defoe

Toni Duggan

Joe Hart

Steph Houghton

Wayne Rooney

Edwin van der Sar

Jill Scott

Theo Walcott

Owen Cooper

Damson Idris

Joe Marler

Nitro

Jordan North

Jordi Alba

Jen Beattie

Ali Krieger

Maisie Adam

Usain Bolt

Alex Brooker

Richard Gadd

Tom Grennan

Tom Hiddleston

Paddy McGuinness

Olly Murs

Sam Thompson

Robbie Williams

Big Zuu

A whole host of players have played in multiple Soccer Aid fixtures since its inception 20 years ago but only one star was formally dropped from the game.

Manchester City legend Yaya Toure played 73 minutes in 2018 at Old Trafford and was set to feature for the Rest of the World again in 2020.

However, he excited the squad in disgrace. Toure was axed from the fixture after The Sun reported that he offered to hire sex workers for his teammates at the five-star hotel in a message sent in the WhatsApp chat.

The Ivorian also posted a video of a naked woman in a bath in the chat, which included female players and stars from both teams.

Yaya Toure has not been invited back to Soccer Aid. Image: Getty

UNICEF and ITV received a "string of complaints" about Toure's message and he was criticised at breakfast in the hotel on Friday morning.

After it was concluded his "behaviour didn't align with the values of the event and its cause," the former Barcelona man issued an apology on social media for his "inappropriate joke".

“I would like to apologise to everyone involved in Soccer Aid for an inappropriate joke I deeply regret," Toure wrote on X.

"It was meant as a joke, however, I lacked thorough consideration for the feelings of all the other participants.

“That being said I deleted the jokes within minutes and I immediately apologised to all inside the group.

"We gather for a good cause and this deviates the focus of the game which is to bring everyone together to help children around the world.

"It's sad to see an inappropriate joke I made attract the attention which should be fully devoted to the beauty of the charity game.

"Regardless of the circumstances, I want to take full responsibility. I am a grown man who should not be engaged in such jokes.

"I am very sorry for my mistake and wish everyone all the best with Soccer Aid on Sunday in raising awareness and funds for important causes."

The Soccer Aid fixture was played behind closed doors and saw England win 4-3 on penalties.

Toure has not been invited back to play in Soccer Aid since but made a surprise appearance on Sky Sports on Sunday after watching Arsenal's 2-1 win over Chelsea.