Why Tommy Fury is playing for the World XI team in Soccer Aid 2023

Unbeaten boxer Tommy Fury will play for the World XI team in Soccer Aid 2023 and here's why.

Former One Direction member Liam Payne teased an announcement with Fury after sharing a mock-up poster of them facing off against each other on social media.

Well, it turns out Payne and Fury will be on opposing teams in this year's Soccer Aid, which will take place at Old Trafford in Manchester, England, on June 11.

The 23-year-old has signed up for Soccer Aid, having secured the biggest win of his budding professional boxer career last February.

He out-pointed Jake Paul in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, to inflict the former YouTuber with the first defeat of his professional career.

The undefeated Brit will temporarily put his boxing career on hold as he takes to the football pitch for Soccer Aid.

And he'll be lining up for the World XI team opposed to the England side.

That's because he's representing the World XI team through the heritage of his mother, who is of Mauritian descent.

His father, of course, is 'Big' John while his mother is Chantal, who has largely avoided the spotlight amid her son's meteoric rise to stardom.

Image; Soccer Aid

Fury will call the likes of Usain Bolt (captain), Iain Sterling and Lee Mack as teammates when they take on England this summer.

Kem Cetinay, Mo Gilligan, Maisie Adam, Heather O'Reilly and Kaylyn Kyle have also signed up for Soccer Aid.

After the news was confirmed that he'd be taking part in Soccer Aid, Fury tweeted: "SOCCER AID 2023! I’m coming for you on Sunday 11 June."

England, meanwhile, will boast former footballers Jill Scott (captain), Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Jermaine Defoe, Jack Wilshere as well as celebrities Bugzy Malone, Joel Corry and Chunkz to name but a few.