In a high-scoring and entertaining charity football match held in Doha, Match for Hope 2025 Qatar, U.S. men’s national team boss Mauricio Pochettino took charge of Team Chunkz x IShowSpeed, narrowly losing 6-5 to Team KSI x AboFlah in the Match For Hope 2025. The event, which brought together former football stars, social media influencers, and celebrities, raised over $10.7 million for charity.
The match, an 11v11 contest, was a goal-filled spectacle, with Team KSI x AboFlah securing a dramatic late winner in the 89th minute. Streamer Adam Waheed, who famously refers to football as “soccer,” scored the decisive goal with his left foot, sparking wild celebrations. The winning team was coached by former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who led a squad featuring legends like Thierry Henry, Andrea Pirlo, and Alessandro Del Piero.
Del Piero, Juventus’ all-time leading scorer, was the only former professional to find the net, showcasing his class with a composed finish. Meanwhile, Team Chunkz x IShowSpeed, captained by social media stars Chunkz and IShowSpeed, included former Manchester City midfielder David Silva and Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta, alongside a host of popular influencers.
IShowSpeed, named GOAL Champions’ Most Influential Soccer Creator for 2024, humorously attempted to convince Pochettino to build the team’s tactics around him before the match. Despite their efforts, Pochettino’s side fell just short in a thrilling encounter.
The Match For Hope supports Education Above All (EAA), a foundation dedicated to helping out-of-school children. Last year’s inaugural event raised over $9 million, benefiting approximately 70,000 people. This year’s edition continued the tradition of combining football and philanthropy, with stars from the sport and social media coming together for a worthy cause.
KSI, captain of the winning team, expressed his joy after the match: “I’m buzzing, 6-5, you know, last-minute winner! They came back strong in the second half, but bro, that last-minute goal from Adam—he doesn’t even play football! He calls it soccer! He’s right-footed! It feels so good. Fantastic. What a day, I’m so, so happy right now.”
The event highlighted the growing intersection of football, entertainment, and social media, while making a significant impact for charity. Fans can look forward to more star-studded editions of the Match For Hope in the future.
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