Kaylyn Kyle Excited To Return To Manchester For Soccer Aid For UNICEF

Kaylyn Kyle will this weekend play in the Soccer Aid match for UNICEF for the third time, returning to an Old Trafford ground which holds so many special memories for her.

The annual match which raises funds for UNICEF, the United Nations agency which provides aid to children worldwide, was first played in 2006. Contested between teams representing hosts England and a World XI, comprised of legendary former players and celebrities. The showpiece occasion has previously featured such luminaries as Diego Maradona, Usain Bolt and Robbie Williams. Kyle, who won 101 international caps for Canada, is returning to play for the third year in succession.

Speaking to me exclusively from the United States where she has carved out a successful broadcasting career presenting MLS 360 on Apple TV, I asked Kyle what it was like playing in a match alongside a collection of strangers. “I think the first year, I didn’t really know what to expect, being completely honest. It’s like going to school for the first time – ‘oh God, am I going to have any friends? Are people going to like me?’ It was such a weird, little kid feeling, but then it brings you back to why you feel in love with the game.”

“As a little kid you always dreamed of playing on the biggest stage with the biggest players on the biggest moments. I feel that’s what Soccer Aid is. It’s a lot of different people, different cultures, different backgrounds, that come together for an amazing cause with UNICEF. It’s ultimately to raise money for countries that are in need, especially children.”

Kyle’s first appearance in the charity match was at Old Trafford in 2023, a 4-2 victory for the World XI before England won the 2024 edition, played at Stamford Bridge. “I don’t know why they keep on bringing me back,” Kyle told me. “I guess I’m just good vibes! When you get the email, it’s like being selected for a World Cup team, where you get the text message from the Soccer Aid staff. I’m absolutely delighted to go back and to Manchester as well, because that’s where it first started for me.”

Playing at Soccer Aid was not Kyle’s first experience of playing at the so-called ‘Theatre of Dreams’. During the London 2012 Olympic Games, the midfielder was part of the Canada team who heartbreakingly lost in the semi-final of the Women’s Football Tournament, 4-3 in overtime against the United States.

“They ultimately knocked us out of that Gold Medal game,” Kyle recalls, “but we ended up collecting a Bronze. I have so many special memories at this stadium and so many special memories in England. It’s a really special crowd, and atmosphere. The city is electric.”

Kyle’s final international appearance came three years later in the FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted by Canada in 2015. The host nation’s tournament was ended by England at the quarter-final stage in front of a record crowd at BC Place in Vancouver. Having previously come up against four members of that Lionesses squad at Soccer Aid – Karen Carney, Jill Scott, Eni Aluko and Ellen White – the organisers have this year drafted in two more – Steph Houghton and Toni Duggan.

Kyle told me she is relishing the opportunity for revenge. “Everyone always talks about how special a home World Cup is, and they made it not special for me. So yeah, there’s vengeance on my mind obviously! We lost last year, the World XI, so we’re got going to lose this year. I like winning, I like going to get your trophy and getting your medal put around your neck in front of all the fans as well.”

“I have the utmost respect for both of those women, and just what the Lionesses have done. They were the forerunners of changing the mindset of women’s football, especially in England. You go to the stadiums and they’re packed, they are sold out. They are one of the top teams in the world because they play a beautiful brand of football. They won’t be playing a beautiful brand of football come June 15 because the World XI is going to take it to them – can’t wait!”

Kyle was always renowned for sporting a pink headband during her playing career which she revealed to me was nothing more than a strip of pre-wrap tape. “I’m so weird, I was a very superstitious person when I played. I always dressed left to right, I had a lucky sports bra, I had lucky sliders. I know that sounds disgusting to all those people out there – they did get washed inbetween matches!”

“The pink headband actually came about because I’d wear headbands and they’d fly off. My trainer was taping my ankle, she knew my favorite color was pink, and I was like, ‘oh, I’m going to try some of that in my hair’ and then I had one of the best games of my life.”

“So I’ve always rocked the pink, pre-wrap headband, super-simple, and if you lost it, you just ripped out another one mid-match. So it was just an easy, non-expensive way to look cool. I didn’t wear one at Soccer Aid because we had a hair-dresser that did my hair really cool and I didn’t want to wreck my vibes. Maybe I’ll wear one this year, I’m not sure, we’ll see if they have pink pre-wrap for me there.”

During her playing career, Kyle took it upon herself to give something back, becoming an ambassador for ‘Right to Play’, the international non-profit organisation based in Toronto. In her role, she visited Liberia and was struck by the experience. “I went into Africa a few times and the one thing that always stuck with me is they are always so happy, so excited to welcome you into their community, and they have nothing.”

“I was very privileged in the way, growing up, I never didn’t have soccer cleats, I was never unable to pay for my soccer registration fees. We were not rich, by any means, but they always provided us with an opportunity. I think it is so important, that not only athletes, but people who are in high positions of power – whether it’s television or CEOs – that they do give back.”

Now a mother of two, Kyle fully appreciates the difference the work that UNICEF undertakes makes to children around the world. “Since joining Soccer Aid for UNICEF, it made me realize just how much work goes on behind the scenes to put on these big productions in order to raise money – $15 million we raised in 2024. $15 million goes a very long way in these communities that have nothing.”

“With UNICEF, they have people on ground, I think that’s so important. You can raise money and send it and be like, do what you want with it. Speaking to the UNICEF people for the last two years after being at Soccer Aid, everyone sticks all ten fingers in, all ten toes in. Yes, they want to get them the right healthcare, food, water, clothing, but they also want the kids to realize there is opportunity and if you work hard and do the right things, they can really help out.”

“Talking to a lot of people who have been out there on the ground, like (singer, songwriter) Tom Grennan, he said the same exact things that I’ve just said about ‘Right to Play’. I would feel weird if I wasn’t involved in it. I feel like it’s changed me as a person, I feel like it makes me a better human being. To be able to give back, I think it’s just the best feeling in the world.”

Soccer Aid for UNICEF, which will be broadcast on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player at 1800 BST/2100 EST) on Sunday June 15.  

This year, thanks to the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, every donation you make to Soccer Aid for UNICEF will be doubled – up to £5 million.

Donations can be made ahead of the match at www.socceraid.org.uk/donate