Everton favourite Tim Cahill will captain a team of Liverpool and Everton legends against a Rest of the World XI led by Brazilian icon Rivaldo at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
The former Australia international will lead Team Merseyside in #Game4Hope, a charity match raising money and awareness for Shelter and Everton in the Community.
The Soccer Aid-style fixture will take place at Everton’s waterfront stadium on Saturday, September 26, with kick-off at 4.45pm.
Cahill made more than 270 appearances and scored 68 goals during eight years at Everton, becoming a fan favourite through his performances, important goals and trademark corner-flag celebration.
His Merseyside side will be jointly managed by Everton great Peter Reid and former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes.
Leighton Baines, Gareth Barry, Phil Jagielka, Yakubu, Robbie Fowler, David James, Ryan Babel, Jari Litmanen, John Aldridge, Joleon Lescott and Louis Saha are among the former players confirmed.
They will be joined in the purple home shirt, chosen as a nod to both sides of the city, by celebrity supporters including Tony Bellew, John Bishop, Big Zuu, Molly McCann, Still Ryan and James Nelson-Joyce.
Rivaldo, who won the 2002 World Cup with Brazil and received both the Ballon d’Or and FIFA World Player of the Year awards, will captain the Rest of the World team.
Its line-up also includes Brazil’s World Cup-winning captain Cafu, Clarence Seedorf, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Jaap Stam, Mustapha Hadji, Des Walker and former boxing world champion Johnny Nelson.
Ted Lasso actors Toheeb Jimoh and Moe Hashim, Gladiators star Harry ‘Nitro’ Aikines-Aryeetey, Jack Fowler and Tinie Tempah will also play.
Former Arsenal and England star Rachel Yankey and musician and footballer Chelcee Grimes have been confirmed, while ex-Everton and England players Toni Duggan and Natasha Dowie will represent Team Merseyside.
The match will form part of a day of entertainment at Hill Dickinson Stadium, including performances from Liverpool band Circa Waves and a half-time show featuring Tinie Tempah.
Food, music and family entertainment will also be staged in the stadium’s Budweiser Plaza before and after the game.
Organisers say more than 1,600 children in Liverpool are currently experiencing homelessness and living in temporary accommodation. Proceeds will support Shelter and Everton in the Community’s work with people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.
Everton in the Community’s services include its Home Is Where the Heart Is programme, which provides young people with practical support and routes towards stable accommodation. The charity also delivers mental health, addiction recovery, physical health, employability and youth intervention programmes.
Lester Holcombe, CEO of Legends Soccer Group, said: “To bring players of the calibre of Rivaldo, Cafu and Clarence Seedorf to Liverpool is incredibly exciting. These are genuine football icons who have inspired generations of supporters around the world, and now fans will get the chance to see them up close at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
“But #Game4Hope is about much more than the 90 minutes on the pitch. We’ve created a full family entertainment experience with live music, food, interactive football activities and plenty to enjoy before the match even kicks off. Whether you’re eight or eighty, there’s something for everyone.
“Most importantly, every ticket purchased helps support the incredible work being carried out by Shelter and Everton in the Community, making this a fantastic day out that will leave a lasting impact across Merseyside.”
Tickets are available through Everton, priced at £15 for adult season ticket members and £10 for under-16 season ticket members.
General-sale tickets cost £25 for adults and £15 for under-16s. Hospitality and VIP packages are also available.
