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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
John Jones

Why is Ben Foster playing for the World XI at Soccer Aid 2023?

Soccer Aid is back for 2023 and as ever has pitted a team of English celebrities and football legends against those from the rest of the World, all in the name of charity.

Last year's match saw the World XI, captained by Usain Bolt, beat the England XI in a penalty shootout to lift the trophy for the fourth year in a row.

As they look for their fifth consecutive win, the World XI team have fielded another strong line-up for Sunday's game at Old Trafford with the likes of boxer and Love Island star Tommy Fury, rapper Bugzy Malone and comedian Mo Gilligan joining football legends including Francesco Totti, Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo.

However, there's one new addition that, while familiar to Welsh football fans, has left some viewers scratching their heads.

Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster starts between the sticks for the World XI and will play the first half before being replaced by UFC fighter Leon Edwards in net.

But the 40-year-old, who played for the likes of Manchester United, West Brom and Watford before joining the Red Dragons earlier this year, was born and raised in Warwickshire to English parents and has eight caps for England's senior team to his name.

He even played for the Three Lions at the 2014 World Cup, keeping a clean sheet against Costa Rica in a 0-0 bore draw after Roy Hodgson's team were knocked out at the group stage.

So why is Foster playing for the World XI? Well, there's actually a very straightforward answer to that.

Simply, he just wanted to be involved in the game, and with England having already selected David James as their 'keeper, the Wrexham star accepted the vacant spot in the World XI so he could line up with the team at the Theatre of Dreams.

A spokesperson for Foster claimed he was originally going to coach the World XI goalkeepers but will now take his place on the pitch after a change in circumstances.

Mystery solved.

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