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The England men’s team will play without names on their shirts during the second half of the fixture against Belgium at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday.
The match has been dedicated as an Alzheimer’s Society International as part of our official charity partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, driving home how football should be unforgettable.
The names will disappear from the players’ shirts when they return to the pitch after half time, drawing attention to how people with dementia lose precious memories, even the names of their favourite football players.
With memory loss the most commonly associated symptom of dementia, this year’s dedicated international aims to increase awareness of dementia symptoms and encourage fans to seek a diagnosis if they spot any tell-tale signs in themselves or loved ones. Fans are being encouraged to download Alzheimer’s Society’s symptoms checklist at alzheimers.org.uk/sports
Although dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, one in three people living with dementia in England and Wales don’t have a diagnosis and too many people still think dementia is just a sign of normal ageing, unsure of the symptoms, and too afraid to visit their GP. A diagnosis can allow families more time to plan for the future and unlock the door to treatment, care and support.
The custom shirts are being donated by the England squad and auctioned to raise crucial funds to support Alzheimer’s Society research into early diagnosis.
The nameless shirts originally appeared at the first Alzheimer’s Society International in 2022, and are being repeated against Belgium as a recurring, recognisable way to drive home the message that football should be unforgettable.
Kate Lee, Alzheimer’s Society CEO said: “We hope this striking gesture with the players’ shirts will once again get fans across the country talking, and thinking about the signs and symptoms of dementia.
“By using football to shine a spotlight and increase awareness of dementia symptoms, we hope to not only encourage fans to donate towards our early diagnosis research, but also to support their loved ones just as much as they support their football team. This means taking crucial first steps in seeking a diagnosis if they suspect someone they care about may be affected. A diagnosis can be daunting but it’s better to know.”
The dedicated match is part of the FA and Alzheimer’s Society’s Support the Supporters campaign, driving home the importance of a dementia diagnosis.
