Game4Ukraine: Andriy Shevchenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko gather football stars for a charity match in London

Two famous Ukrainian footballers  - Golden Ball winner, Andriy Shevchenko, and Arsenal star, Oleksandr Zinchenko - will captain blue and yellow teams. Both modern stars and football legends will meet on the pitch, with a goal of raising funds towards the reconstruction of a school destroyed by the russian army in March 2022.

Zelenskyy welcomed Oleksandr Zinchenko to the team of UNITED24 ambassadors, saying:

"I support the initiative of Andriy Shevchenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko to hold a charity match in London. The Game4Ukraine at Stamford Bridge is an opportunity for the football community all over the world to unite, show solidarity, help Ukraine, help our children return to their school desks, and also attract the attention of the entire world community to the war again."

The names of football players who will participate in Game4Ukraine will appear on the website of UNITED24 and Game4Ukraine. The MEGOGO media service will provide a free broadcast for Ukrainians. Those who want to support the charity fundraiser but can’t join the match live can make a charitable contribution of 7USD - with that, you'll also be taking part in a raffle for the shirts the players will be wearing during the match.

"We discussed a charity match for Ukraine with President Zelenskyy a year ago, when I became the first ambassador of UNITED24. It took time to arrange such an event. The game for Ukraine and for the sake of Ukraine will take place at a stadium that I know very well. It is Chelsea's home stadium, Stamford Bridge. I am sure that both Chelsea and Arsenal fans will support this match, as long as everyone who likes football and wants to express their solidarity with Ukraine," says Andriy Shevchenko.

Funds will restore a school damaged in the war. A missile struck the first and second floors. Thankfully, inhabitants had taken safety in the shelter, and were not injured. However, not much of the building itself survived. The roof was almost 90% destroyed, half of the windows were broken, and many classrooms were completely destroyed. Another missile struck the nearby sports pitch.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, a team captain and new ambassador of UNITED24, spoke of his emotions: 

"It is an honor for me to join the ambassadors of the UNITED24 fundraising platform. The charity game at Stamford Bridge aims first and foremost to raise funds for the reconstruction of the school, where children will have their graduation ceremony among the ruins. They need this school and as a father I feel and share the pain of every Ukrainian child. So we will play for them and for the sake of them. I am sure that we will see many great players on the pitch: from Arsenal, Chelsea, and other Premier League teams."

Stamford Bridge Stadium has a capacity of 40,000. Tickets for the charity match can be purchased on the official website of Game4Ukraine: www.game4ukraine.com