Niall Horan to compete against Louis Tomlinson at charity soccer match

Niall Horan will be pitted against his One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson at the upcoming 2016 Soccer Aid charity tournament.

The Irish singer has joined the Rest of the World celebrity soccer team as Assistant Manager, while Louis will be playing for England at the game, which takes place at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England on 5 June (16) and raises money for United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Leicester City soccer manager Claudio Ranieri will lead the Rest of the World team, which also features Welsh actor Michael Sheen, a UNICEF U.K. ambassador, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and former Westlife singer Nicky Byrne, plus professional players.

"It’s an absolute honour to be asked to be involved with such a fantastic charity and this game has become a major event on the calendar for the last 10 years,” said Niall in a statement. “I’m absolutely delighted to be a part of the Rest of World team and Mr Ranieri’s management team. We have a great team this year and I’m sure the boys are looking forward to the challenge. It’s going to be a great week.”

Meanwhile, Louis' England squad is lead by British pop star Robbie Williams, who will both play and serve as Assistant Manager alongside former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho. They will be joined by singer Olly Murs, former JLS star Marvin Humes and comedians Paddy McGuinness, Jack Whitehall and John Bishop.

Niall and Louis are both keen soccer players. Niall previously trained with the Chelsea club as he was recovering from a knee injury in 2014, and Louis occasionally plays for his hometown team Doncaster Rovers F.C. on a non-contract basis.

They are both currently on hiatus from One Direction. In the break, Niall has set up a golf management company while Louis has been looking after his son Freddie, who was born in January (16).