Tom Hanks and Tim Allen surprise Soccer Aid crowd with Toy Story moment before kick-off

Tom Hanks and Tim Allen brought an unexpected Hollywood moment to Soccer Aid’s 20th anniversary edition at London Stadium on Sunday, appearing pitch-side ahead of kick-off to support the UNICEF charity fixture.

The pair — best known for voicing Woody and Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise — were interviewed by presenter GK Barry before the match. When asked what had brought them to the event, Hanks, 69, explained they were there to drop the ball for kick-off and help raise money for the cause. Allen, 72, raised eyebrows with a cheeky aside, joking that he was “just b****ing about penalty shots” and trying to work out how a game could be decided from the spot. Hanks, a self-confessed Aston Villa supporter, offered a dry response: “You cannot use your hands.”

The duo appeared on screen a second time to bring out the match ball, at which point Allen announced that £4,646,971 had already been raised for UNICEF. He then drew a roar from the crowd by delivering Buzz Lightyear’s iconic line: “To infinity and beyond!”

Earlier in the evening, singer Olly Murs revealed he had personally raised £1,342,214 after completing a gruelling 400km challenge that combined running, cycling, and rowing from Old Trafford to London Stadium.

The match itself featured a star-studded line-up on both sides. Former England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney led the attack for the England XI, managed by Robbie Williams, while legendary Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was in goal for the World XI, whose dugout was overseen by Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt.

Other football names on the England side included Jill Scott, Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, and Joe Hart, alongside celebrities such as Tom Hiddleston, Danny Dyer, Paddy McGuinness, and Jack Whitehall.

The World XI squad featured former Premier League and Champions League stalwarts including Michael Essien, Jordi Alba, Leonardo Bonucci, Dimitar Berbatov, and Nemanja Matic.