Why Tommy Fury is playing for World XI at Soccer Aid instead of England

Tommy Fury will be one of the stars taking part in Soccer Aid on Sunday, although he won't be playing for England.

Soccer Aid returns for its 13th edition on Sunday, with an England side taking on a Rest of the World XI at Stamford Bridge.

As ever, a host of celebrities will join a cast of former footballers and athletes in the name of charity, with funds raised going to Unicef.

Fury, despite being born and raised in Manchester, will play for the Rest of the World team.

This is because he is of Mauritian descent on his mother Chantal's side, and his father John Fury is of Irish Traveller descent.

Former England players including Jack Wilshere, Joe Cole and Jill Scott will be joined by the likes of Danny Dyer, Stuart Broad and Sir Mo Farah, but not by boxer Tommy Fury.

Despite being born in Manchester, the former Love Island star will turn out for the Rest of the World. He is eligible through his mother Chantal, who is of Mauritian descent, and his father John Fury, who was born in Ireland.

Fury represented the Rest of the World when he made his Soccer Aid debut last year.

This year he will play alongside former footballers Eden Hazard, Roberto Carlos and Petr Cech, as well as Jason Manford, Tony Bellew and Usain Bolt.

Tommy Fury will swap the boxing ring for the football pitch (Getty)

Ahead of his Soccer Aid debut last year, Fury spoke of his excitement of playing alongside former Olympic champion Bolt.

"I used to watch Usain in all the Olympics and to be playing alongside him on a football pitch will be absolutely incredible," he said.

"I think for the first 10 or 15 seconds I’ll be a little bit starstruck until he tells me to get in position. But I’ll try and do him proud."

Fury will be coached by former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino, while England will be managed by Chelsea legend Frank Lampard. He will be joined in the dugout by Harry Redknapp, Robbie Williams, David Seaman and Vicky McClure.