History has a funny way of repeating itself, especially when there’s a football at the end of it. Honestly, if you’d told someone back in 2016 that a bunch of guys who played FIFA in their bedrooms would eventually sell out West Ham’s London Stadium and draw millions of live viewers, they would’ve laughed you out of the room. Yet here we are. The buzz around the Sidemen charity match lineups has become a legitimate cultural phenomenon that rivals actual Premier League transfer deadlines. People aren't just looking for a list of names; they’re looking for the drama, the inevitable defensive collapses, and the sheer chaos of seeing a YouTuber with 30 million subscribers try to track a run in 80% humidity.
It’s about more than just football. It’s about the narrative.
When the 2023 match wrapped up with a staggering 8-5 scoreline in favor of Sidemen FC, the immediate question wasn't "who won?" but "who’s coming back?" We saw KSI save a penalty from IShowSpeed—a moment that basically broke the internet for forty-eight hours—and Simon (Miniminter) proving once again that he’s probably the only person on that pitch who actually knows where the goalposts are at all times. But the evolution of these rosters tells a deeper story about how creator culture has shifted from "niche internet thing" to "mainstream entertainment juggernaut."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Sidemen Charity Match Lineups
There’s this weird misconception that these squads are just picked at random from a hat. It’s not. Behind the scenes, the balancing act is a nightmare. If you put too many "pros" (the Cal the Dragons or the Chris MDs of the world) on one side, the game becomes a tactical snooze-fest. If you fill it with too many "clout-chasers" who can't run for more than five minutes, the quality drops so low that even the most loyal fans start checking their watches.
The strategy usually involves three tiers of players. First, you have the Core Sidemen. They are the anchors. JJ, Simon, Vik, Tobi, Ethan, Josh, and Harry. They have to be there. Then you have the YouTube Allstars Staples. These are the guys like Speed, MrBeast, and Theo Baker. Finally, you have the "Wildcards." This is where things get interesting and where the 2025 rumors are currently centered.
Remember when xQc showed up in goal? That was a gamble. He had never really played. His rating was basically zero. But his presence brought an entire demographic of Twitch viewers who otherwise wouldn't care about a charity match in London. That’s the genius of the selection process. It’s a mathematical formula of reach versus ability.
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The Speed Factor and the "Main Character" Problem
Darren Watkins Jr., better known as IShowSpeed, changed the DNA of these lineups forever. Before him, the matches were competitive but somewhat polite. Speed brought a level of unhinged energy that turned a football match into a pantomime.
However, there's a growing sentiment among hardcore fans that the "Speed-centric" lineups are starting to cannibalize the actual sport. When every play has to go through one person who is mostly there to bark at the referee or do a backflip, the flow of the game dies. In the 2023 and 2024 cycles, we saw a shift. The organizers started bringing in more "serious" creators to balance the scales.
Think about the inclusion of players like Angry Ginge. He’s funny, sure, but he actually understands the game. He provides a bridge between the "meme players" and the "ballers."
Breaking Down the 2025 Roster Rumors
Everyone wants to know if the 2025 lineup will finally feature the names we've been dreaming of. The "Holy Grail" of Sidemen charity match lineups has always included a retired professional of massive standing. We’ve seen Mark Noble. We’ve seen Billy Wingrove. But the whispers about a certain Brazilian legend or a recently retired Premier League winger are getting louder.
- The Return of the OGs: Expect the Sidemen to stay mostly the same, though Josh (Zerkaa) has been vocal about his knees giving out. There’s a non-zero chance we see one of the Sidemen move to a managerial role to make space for a high-profile guest.
- The US Incursion: Kai Cenat and Fanum are almost guaranteed spots if their schedules align. The "AMP" effect is too big to ignore.
- The YouTube Allstars Defense: This has historically been a shambles. Word is, the scouts are looking at more athletic creators from the gaming space to actually provide some resistance so the score doesn't end up being 15-14.
The reality of these matches is that they are grueling. Playing 90 minutes on a full-sized pitch is no joke. Last year, several players had to be subbed off within twenty minutes because they simply hadn't done the cardio. This is why the 2025 lineup is expected to be "younger" and "fitter," even if that means sacrificing some of the older, legacy YouTubers who paved the way.
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Why Skill Gaps Actually Make the Match Better
If everyone was as good as Simon Minter, the match would be boring. We need the moments where someone like Behzinga makes a 40-yard sprint only to trip over the ball. We need the "Chunkz vs. The Crossbar" narrative. The Sidemen charity match lineups are essentially a soap opera played out on grass.
There is a tension between the "content" and the "competition."
Fans often complain when a player is "too good." For example, when Manny or Tobi Brown get on the ball, there’s a genuine sense of "this isn't fair." They are genuinely talented footballers. But without them, the match lacks the moments of "wow" that make the highlights go viral. You need the contrast. You need the guy who can’t kick a ball straight standing next to the guy who can hit a top-bins screamer from outside the box.
The Logistics of the "Perfect" Team
Selecting the squads involves a massive amount of coordination with agents, brands, and security teams. You can't just put 22 of the world's biggest influencers in a room and expect it to go smoothly.
- Chemistry Matters: The Sidemen usually play together, which gives them a massive advantage. They have "telepathy," or at least they know who is going to be out of breath first.
- The Goalkeeper Crisis: Finding a YouTuber who is willing to get pelted with footballs for 90 minutes is surprisingly hard. After the Cal the Dragon era, there’s a vacancy for a "hero" keeper.
- Charity Impact: We shouldn't lose sight of the fact that these lineups raise millions for organizations like Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), Teenage Cancer Trust, and Movember. The bigger the name, the bigger the donation pool.
It’s easy to get cynical about "influencer events," but the scale here is undeniable. When you look at the Sidemen charity match lineups, you’re looking at a snapshot of the current state of digital media. Ten years ago, these people were outcasts. Now, they're the ones filling stadiums while traditional broadcasters scramble to figure out how to get a piece of the action.
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Tactical Shifts: From Memes to Mastery?
In recent years, the coaching staff has actually started trying. We’ve seen the likes of Billy Wingrove and Mark Goldbridge taking their roles surprisingly seriously. This has led to a change in how the lineups are utilized. It’s no longer just "everyone run toward the ball." There are actual formations now.
If you’re looking at the YouTube Allstars, their biggest weakness has always been the midfield. They have plenty of strikers (everyone wants to score) and a few brave souls in defense, but the middle of the park is usually a ghost town. For the next match, expect the lineup to feature more "workhorse" creators—the ones who might not have the biggest subscriber counts but have the stamina to actually track back.
The Impact of New Platforms
The rise of Kick and the continued dominance of TikTok have introduced a new crop of potential players. It’s no longer just a "YouTube" match. The Sidemen charity match lineups now have to represent the entire creator economy. This means more diversity in where the talent comes from. Expect to see names from the UK rap scene and perhaps even some "traditional" celebrities who have a strong social media presence.
The pressure is on the Sidemen to keep the event fresh. You can only watch the same people play football so many times before the novelty wears off. This is why the 2025 lineup is rumored to be the most "experimental" one yet.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re planning on following the next match, don’t just wait for the official announcement. The real fun is in the breadcrumbs dropped during side-channel videos and livestreams.
- Watch the "MoreSidemen" channel: This is where the casual talk about training and invites usually happens.
- Check the training footage: Creators often start posting "glow up" or training montages about three months before the match. If someone who usually plays video games is suddenly at the gym, they’re probably on the list.
- Follow the charities: Often, the charities involved get the "leak" first or are allowed to announce specific players to drive early donations.
The Sidemen charity match lineups are a testament to the power of community. Whether you're there for the tactical masterclasses of Miniminter or the inevitable chaos of IShowSpeed, these rosters are the heartbeat of the biggest event in the creator calendar. Keep an eye on the "confirmed" lists, but always leave room for the surprise sub who turns the whole game upside down.
To truly get ahead of the curve, start tracking the "Sidemen Sunday" videos starting in the spring. They almost always include subtle hints or "trial" segments where they test out the athletic capabilities of potential guests. If a guest appears in a high-energy video and survives the banter, there's a 70% chance they'll be wearing a kit come match day. Focus on the chemistry—because at the end of the day, a team that laughs together usually manages to actually score a goal together.