England, Wales to wear nameless shirts in friendly

England and Wales national football teams will wear nameless shirts during the second half of their international friendly match on Thursday to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. This symbolic gesture serves to highlight memory loss, the most common symptom of Alzheimer’s, with both teams partnering with the Alzheimer’s Society. The event also includes 22 fans living with dementia who will walk out alongside the players at kickoff, emphasizing the collective effort needed to combat the UK’s largest killer.

The initiative continues a partnership established in 2021 between the English Football Association (FA) and the Alzheimer’s Society. England previously adopted the nameless shirt campaign during their friendly against Belgium in 2024 as part of the “Support the Supporters” awareness drive. The absence of player names on jerseys during the second half vividly underlines the challenges faced by those living with dementia, who often struggle to recall familiar names, including those of their favorite footballers.

Ahead of kickoff, fans nominated from across England and Wales with dementia will join the players on the pitch, symbolizing the broad impact of the disease. The FA emphasized that it will take a “united team” effort to tackle dementia effectively. The customized nameless shirts worn in the second half will later be auctioned to raise funds supporting Alzheimer’s Society research, particularly into early diagnosis.

This campaign not only draws attention to the emotional and cognitive toll of dementia but also serves as a call to action for the public. Many people with dementia in the UK remain undiagnosed, often mistaking symptoms for normal aging. The charity encourages individuals to seek medical advice if they notice signs of dementia, which could lead to earlier, more effective care and management.

For football, the gesture reinforces the sport’s unique power to reach millions and promote vital health causes. It also reflects a growing awareness within the football community of the impact of dementia, with continued support reflected in charity partnerships and public engagement. For the players, staff, and fans, this match exemplifies football’s role beyond the pitch, championing awareness and support for those affected by a disease that remains a profound societal challenge.