Explainers

OLYMPIC hero and long-distance runner Sir Mo Farah is set to take to the pitch for the 2024 Soccer Aid match.The much-loved athlete loves his football and is a passionate Arsenal fan, as well is a regular participant in the charity game. Sir Mo is famous for the ‘Mobot’ celebrationWho is Mo Farah?Sir Mo Farah was born in Mogadishu, Somalia on March 23, 1983.He spent the early years of his childhood in neighbouring Djibouti with his twin brother.In 2022, Farah revealed in a TV documentary that his real name was NOT Mo Farah.His birth name was  actually Hussein Abdi Kahin, and he was trafficked from Djibouti to London under the name Mohamed Farah.READ MORE ON SIR MOHe barely spoke a word of English and worked as a house servant.He eventually plucked up the courage to tell his schoolteachers about his ordeal and social services intervened.He then went into the care of a Somalian woman, who posed as his aunt to save him.However he kept his adopted when he became a British citizen.MOST READ IN ATHLETICSHis father was killed in the civil war in Somaliland, and his mother has never been to Britain.Farah was identified for his athleticism at secondary school in Feltham and says he dreamed of becoming either a mechanic or an Arsenal winger.Instead he went on to become an Olympic hero, thanks to his PE teacher Alan Watkinson.In 2010, Farah married longtime girlfriend Tania in Richmond.They have four children — Farah’s stepdaughter Rhianna, twins Amani and Aisha and son Hussein Mo Farah.What are Mo Farah’s biggest achievements?Farah has four Olympic gold medals.In Rio de Janeiro 2016, he achieved the double-double by winning the 5,000m and 10,000m races, just as he had done in London 2012.He has also won gold medals at the World Championships in the 5,000m in 2011, 2013 and 2015, as well as gold in the 10,000m in 2013, 2015 and 2017.He got the silver in the 10,000 in 2011 and was runner-up in London in the 5,000 metres in 2017.Farah also won gold at the European Championship in both the 5,000 and 10,000 metre races in 2010 and 2014, after winning silver in the 5k in 2006.On August 24, 2017, Farah retired from the track and said he would focus on marathons.He has five consecutive half-marathon wins in the Great North Run from 2014-2019 and came third in the London Marathon in 2018. Sir Mo is a huge fan favouriteFarah won the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year in 2017.In October 2018, Mo won a marathon for the first time in only his third competitive race.He won in Chicago in a European record of 2 hours, 5 minutes and 11 seconds.However in November 2019, he announced his return to the track to defend his 10k title at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, but failed to qualify for the event.In September 2023, Farah retired from competition, signing off with a final appearance at the Great North Run, where he finished in fourth place. Mo was knighted in 2017 — seen here with his wife TaniaCredit: PA:Press AssociationWhat is Mo Farah’s net worth?Farah reportedly has a net worth of approximately £4million.In 2013, he was awarded a CBE in the New Year Honours list for services to athletics.He was knighted by the late Queen in the 2017 New Year Honours.What position will Sir Mo Farah play at Soccer Aid 2024?The lifelong Arsenal fan wanted to play for the Gunners as a child.He’s since trained with the first team – and even called on former boss Arsene Wenger to sign him up as the team’s fitness coach.His speed has seen him play up front in previous Soccer Aid matches – however he’s yet to get onto the score sheet.He first played in the competition in 2018 and has been a regular ever since.He is expected to play up front once again. Sir Mo Farah battles for possession with Steven Bartlett during the 2022 Soccer Aid matchWho will manage Sir Mo Farah’s football team at Soccer Aid 2024?Sir Mo will be playing for the England team alongside a star-studded line-up of former pros and top celebs.The England squad have a triple act of managers as they hope to finally land a win after a number of years of defeat.Harry Redknapp and Frank Lampard will be bringing their professional management insight to the side, while Robbie Williams will be hoping his A-list presence will inspire England to deliver.Soccer Aid line-up 2024Fans can’t wait for soccer aid to kick off on Sunday, June 9, 2024.The FULL line-up of players has been released and it is a mix of celebrities and former pro footballers.

England:

Frank Lampard (Co-Manager)

Harry Redknapp (Co-Manager)

Robbie Williams (Co-Manager)

Jill Scott (Captain)

Paddy McGuinness (Celebrity Goalkeeper)

David James (Professional Goalkeeper)

David Seaman (Goalkeeping Coach)

Footballer Jermain Defoe

Jack Wilshere

Footballer Joe Cole

Pundit Karen Carney

Footballer Gary Cahill

Singer Tom Grennan

Dragons’ Den star Steven Bartlett

Actress Erin Doherty

Olympic hero Sir Mo Farah

Comedian Alex Brooker

Cricketer Stuart Broad

Actor Bobby Brazier

Sam Thompson

Footballer Ellen White

Footballer Theo Walcott

Actor Danny Dyer

YouTuber Miniminter
World XI:

Mauricio Pochettino (Manager)

Jesus Perez (Coach)

Usain Bolt (Captain)

Footballer Eden Hazard

Footballer Roberto Carlos

Actor Martin Compston

Comedian Maisie Adam

Presenter Roman Kemp

Comedian Lee Mack

Boxer and reality star Tommy Fury

Gladiator Diamond

Footballer Michael Essien

Footballer Patrice Evra

Footballer Petr Cech

Comedian Jason Manford

Footballer John Obi Mikel

Footballer Kaylyn Kyle

YouTube Theo Baker

How to watch Soccer Aid 2024Soccer Aid hits TV screens on Sunday, June 9th 2024, with the buildup starting at 6pm.MOST READ IN THE SUNHosts Dermot O’Leary and Alex Scott will be on hand to introduce the teams ahead of the kick-off at 7.30pm.Viewers can watch live on ITV1, ITVX and STV. More