GK Barry to play Soccer Aid 2026 after Women’s League cup drama
GK Barry. (Getty Images)
Soccer Aid is back for 2026, and a number of LGBTQ+ stars will take to the pitch, including Jill Scott and GK Barry.
Soccer Aid, the world’s biggest charity football match, has been held annually since 2018 and continues to raise millions for UNICEF.
The match will see England, managed by Robbie Williams, face the World XI team, managed by Usain Bolt. Last year, the latter secured a 5-4 win.
Scott will be returning to Team England. The 39-year-old former professional footballer is a star player for her football prowess. Last year she was the team’s captain, but it’s yet to be announced if she’ll retain the captaincy this year.
Scott will be joined by ex-Lionesses Toni Duggan and Steph Houghton after they made their debut last year.
Additionally, popular podcaster Barry, whose real name is Grace Keeling, will make her first appearance on the pitch. The 26-year-old influencer is best known for her podcast, Saving Grace, and entertaining TikToks.
Girlfriends Ali Krieger and Jen Beattie are also playing.
In 2024, she joined the cast of Loose Women and later the same year appeared on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!.
Barry is no stranger to football; she’s dating Ella Rutherford. Rutherford currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Portsmouth. She previously turned out for Millwall, Bristol City and Charlton Athletic.
The pair did get into some football-related drama last year while conducting the Women’s League Cup draw. The pair made several lesbian jokes that were deemed unprofessional.
Barry and Scott will be joined on Team England by goalkeepers Joe Hart, The Traitors’ Joe Marler and presenter Paddy McGuinness.
They’ll also be playing with fan‑favourite celebrities, influencer Angry Ginge, Adolescence’s Owen Cooper and singer Olly Murs.
Scott and Barry are not the only LGBTQ+ players on the pitch. For Team World XI, girlfriends Ali Krieger and Jen Beattie will be playing.
Krieger, a United States Women’s team star, and Beattie, a former Scotland and Arsenal Women’s defender, confirmed their relationship on Thanksgiving 2024.
Their team also includes Nitro from Gladiators, football icons Jordi Alba and Leonardo Bonucci, and Big Zuu, who scored last year’s winning goal.
How to watch Soccer Aid 2026?
This year’s Soccer Aid will take place on May 31. Kick off will be at 6:30pm and the match will be held at the London Stadium.
Tickets are available from £20 for adults and £10 for juniors at socceraid.org.uk/tickets.
You can watch the game live and for free on ITV1 and online via ITVX.
