Why is Tommy Fury playing for Rest of the World XI and not England at Soccer Aid 2024?
TOMMY FURY is representing the Rest of the World XI at Soccer Aid 2024 tonight – yet he was born and raised in Manchester.
The boxer is trying his hand at football on a public stage for the second time on Sunday since playing in last year’s edition.
He will come face to face with the likes of Jack Wilshere, Tom Hiddleston and Danny Dyer despite being born in the same country as the trio.
That’s because Fury has chosen to play for the Rest of the World, as he is eligible through his mother Chantal, who is of Mauritian descent.
While his father John is also an Irish traveller.
Fury will be managed by ex Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino at Soccer Aid 2024, with Usain Bolt the skipper.
The 10-0 boxer is looking forward to playing alongside the Olympic great.
He said: “I used to watch Usain in all the Olympics and to be playing alongside him on a football pitch will be absolutely incredible.
“I think for the first 10 or 15 seconds I’ll be a little bit starstruck until he tells me to get in position. But I’ll try and do him proud.”
England will be captained by former Lionness Jill Scott, and managed by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard
The former Premier League superstar will be joined in the dugout by Harry Redknapp, Robbie Williams, David Seaman and Vicky McClure.