Electronic Arts have announced that eSoccer Aid for UNICEF, an online FIFA 22 tournament, will be returning for its second year on 30 September 2021 for a star-studded game, with all proceeds donated to UNICEF.

Hosted in partnership with Twitch; Twitch Rivals: eSoccer Aid for UNICEF ft. FIFA 22 will see footballers, celebrities, creators and competitive gamers battling it out in a 2v2 tournament on the eve of the global launch of FIFA 22. The broadcast will be available to view on Twitch and participating names will be announced nearer the time.

The virtual game of football will follow Soccer Aid for UNICEF 2021, the world’s biggest celebrity football match, due to take place at Etihad Stadium, Manchester on 4 September 2021, and broadcast live on ITV and STV.

As part of the partnership, EA will be donating to UNICEF, whose work has transformed the lives of millions of children all over the world. The donation is part of several initiatives being put in place by EA SPORTS this year to support UNICEF programmes, aimed at giving equal opportunities to every child.

David Beckham, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, said:

“Playing for England is one of my greatest achievements and it’s amazing to think my debut was 25 years ago. It’s been great working with EA SPORTS and Reuben to co-design a FIFA Ultimate Team kit to celebrate that moment and raise vital funds for UNICEF.”

This week marks 25 years since Beckham made his England debut vs. Moldova and to further support the partnership with EA SPORTS, David Beckham has co-designed a bespoke FIFA Ultimate Team™ (FUT) kit, celebrating this very moment.

The exclusive FUT kit was co-designed with artist Reuben Dangoor and will be available in FIFA 22 worldwide only via Twitch Rivals: eSoccer Aid for UNICEF ft. FIFA 22. FIFA 22 players will be able to unlock and access the kit by tuning in to the broadcast via Twitch.

Reuben Dangoor said:

“It was an honour to work with a true icon of English football and help bring this kit to life. We wanted to celebrate his love of the national team by featuring three lions on the kit and it was important to commemorate the number ‘7’, in tribute to the shirt number that is so synonymous with David. We’re delighted with the design!”.

David Jackson, VP of EA SPORTS FIFA Brand, said:

“Our aim is to bring the world together through play, so we were delighted to bring back eSoccer Aid for UNICEF for another year and help support such an important initiative. Plus, eSoccer Aid for UNICEF provides a great platform for our players to get some early FIFA competitive training in, whilst helping to raise funds.”

“FIFA 22 is powered by football, so as we continue to work with one of the most decorated footballers that England has ever produced in David Beckham, we’re committed to doing so in a meaningful and powerful way through our support of UNICEF. We hope our players enjoy the tournament and love the exclusive FUT kit as much as we all do!”

UNICEF UK Ambassador and Soccer Aid for UNICEF Co-Founder, Robbie Williams, said:

“We are thrilled to continue working with EA SPORTS. It was great to partner for the inaugural eSoccer Aid for UNICEF last year and we were grateful to the FIFA community rallying behind us to help raise funds for our cause. This year promises to be bigger and better, with viewers able to unlock the new FUT kit from one of the nation’s greatest ever footballers in David Beckham – so we hope you enjoy and that Team England can make it two wins in a row!”.

Shane Horgan, Director of Strategic Development, Soccer Aid Productions, said:

“eSoccer Aid for UNICEF was a tremendous success last year and we’re delighted to be working with EA SPORTS again, for FIFA 22. We’re extremely grateful for the money that we managed to raise in 2020 and the donation that EA SPORTS has already made this year.”

FIFA players across the globe will have the chance to play as David Beckham following the release of FIFA 22. For the third year running, a Soccer Aid World XI FC team will be available in the game with Beckham joining the star-studded squad.

The following players will make up the Soccer Aid World XI FC team:

• Goalkeepers: Peter Schmeichel, Edwin van der Sar and Jens Lehmann.
• Defenders: Marcel Desailly, Franco Baresi, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Roberto Carlos and Fabio Cannavaro.
• Midfielders: Ruud Gullit, Luís Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Clarence Seedorf, Roy Keane, Robert Pirès, Paul Scholes, Joe Cole, David Ginola, Juan Sebastián Veron, Lothar Matthäus, Claude Makélélé, David Beckham and Michael Essien.
• Forwards: Gianfranco Zola, Diego Maradona, Alan Shearer, Ian Rush, Henrik Larsson, Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes, Hernán Crespo, Robbie Keane, Alessandro Del Piero, Eric Cantona, Andriy Shevchenko, Ronaldinho, Michael Owen, Patrick Kluivert and Pelé.

The Soccer Aid World XI FC team is playable in the Kick-Off mode within FIFA 22 and features some of the biggest names who have taken part in the celebrity-charity football match.

Robbie Williams continued: 

“We are always looking to spread our message to new audiences, so it has been brilliant to see a Soccer Aid World XI FC in FIFA over the last two editions of the game. I’m buzzing that David Beckham and Wayne Rooney have joined the fold – so I hope FIFA fans enjoy playing with them too. I can’t wait to get my hands on the game now!”

FIFA 22 is developed by EA Vancouver and EA Romania and is available worldwide on 1 October 2021, on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC via Origin and Steam, Stadia, PS4 and Xbox One. The FIFA 22 Legacy Edition will be available on Nintendo Switch.