The Match For Hope 2026 wrapped up on January 30, 2026, and Team Chunkz won, beating Team AboFlah, 8-7. Overall, the match raised over 12 million USD for the Education Above All Foundation (EAA), which strives to support “out-of-school-children and disadvantaged young people in countries including Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, Pakistan, Mali, and Tanzania.”
The purple-clad Team Chunkz faced off against the red-colored Team AboFlah within the jam-packed Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha. The match gave fans a series of back-and-forth action between the two teams. By halftime, Team Chunkz had the edge, leading 5-4. Notably, at the halfway point, the Jonas Brothers performed for the stadium.
This time around, Japanese influencer Taiyo Kimura was awarded the Match For Hope 2026 MVP. In 2025, EmanSV2 earned the award after an incredible performance that included scoring a hat-trick during the charity football match.
Further, YouTube icons MrBeast and KSI put on a spectacle. The crowd exploded when MrBeast came on, and KSI backed it up with a standout defensive performance.
Looking at the goals scored during Match For Hope 2026
Diego Costa from Team Chunkz opened up scoring with a screamer outside the box. Australian football legend Tim Cahill then levelled the score with a header following a free-kick assist from Thierry Henry.
Mark Rober then clapped back with a clinical finish. The Team Chunkz scoring continued with Chelsea legend Eden Hazard scoring a precise goal after a pass from former Brazilian national player Marcelo. Eman SV2 then followed up for the purple team with a close power shot.
OussiFooty finally brought Team AboFlah back to life after an impressive assist from Bilal Fadili, who beat the keeper. French legend Franck Ribery continued the trend for his team with a sliding header. Influencer Taiyo Kimura skillfully beat the keeper and scored another goal for Team AboFlah.
Then, Chunkz, who was subbed on in the 38th minute, scored a penalty, giving his team the lead by the first half.
About 10 minutes after the second half started, Eman SV2 from Team Chunkz started scoring with a decisive goal from the wing. Once again, OussiFooty brought Team AboFlah back from a dry spell in the 66th minute to make the score 6-5.
A few minutes later, Diego Costa gave Team Chunkz a two-goal lead following a display of Joga Bonito from Marcelo. Soon after, a penalty was awarded to Team Chunkz, and MrBeast offered the goalkeeper a suitcase full of cash to leave the goal open to allow him an open goal, making the score 7-6 in the 74th minute.
At the 80th minute, the stadium announcer mentioned that over 12 million USD had been raised for the Match For Hope cause. Notably, around this point, ex-FaZe Clan member Lacy tried bicycle kicking a rolling ball.
After a quick connection play with Hazard and Marcelo, Eman SV2 performed his second hat-trick in Match For Hope history, making the score 8-6. Then, Beta Squad-associated YouTuber, Harry Pinero, won a penalty and scored a rebound shot to make the final score 8-7.
In other news, YouTube streamer IShowSpeed considered ‘retiring from football’ after his 2024 Match For Hope loss.
Edited by Vishnu Menon
