The eagerly anticipated Match for Hope 2026 is set to bring together a unique blend of footballing royalty and digital superstars for a major charitable cause. This high-profile event aims to raise significant funds for the Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, supporting vital education programmes for children in need across the globe.
How to Watch Match for Hope 2026 for Free
For viewers in the United Kingdom and other regions outside the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the primary method to watch the entire event live is completely free of charge. The official beIN SPORTS YouTube channel will carry the full live stream. Additionally, popular content creators involved in the match, namely Chunkz and AboFlah, will also be streaming the action live on their respective YouTube channels, offering fans multiple viewing options.
Broadcast Details for MENA Region
Audiences across the Middle East and North Africa will have access to free-to-air television coverage. The beIN SPORTS network is broadcasting the match live, ensuring the charity spectacle reaches a vast audience across 24 regional markets without any subscription cost.
Social Media and Digital Coverage
For those following on social platforms, extensive coverage will be available. Major platforms including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and TikTok will share live updates and "near-live" highlight clips. This will provide real-time coverage of the key moments, goals, and behind-the-scenes action from the event.
Match for Hope 2026: UK Start Time and Schedule
The event commences with an opening ceremony at 6:30pm local time in Qatar. For viewers in the United Kingdom, this translates to a start time of 3:30pm GMT. The charity football match itself is scheduled to kick off shortly after, just before 4:00pm UK time.
Team Lineups and Star-Studded Squads
The match features two teams managed by legendary football figures. Team Chunkz will be led from the dugout by the iconic former Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger. His squad boasts an impressive roster of former professionals including Eden Hazard, Marcelo, Diego Costa, and Yasser Al-Qahtani.
Their opponents, Team AboFlah, will be managed by Chelsea's former Champions League-winning boss, Roberto Di Matteo. Their lineup includes football greats such as Thierry Henry, Franck Ribéry, Gerard Piqué, Tim Cahill, and Omar Abdulrahman.
Both teams will also feature a host of famous content creators and YouTubers on their rosters, with global names like Mr Beast and KSI confirmed to be taking part, blending the worlds of sport and digital entertainment.
Charitable Cause and How to Donate
The core purpose of Match for Hope 2026 is to generate funds for the Education Above All Foundation. Throughout the live broadcast, viewers will be encouraged and provided with methods to donate directly to the cause. All proceeds from the event will support education initiatives for out-of-school children in several countries, including Palestine, Sudan, and Nepal.
This event follows the successful 2025 edition and continues a growing tradition of using the global appeal of football and online creators to drive positive change and access to education for vulnerable children worldwide.
