The 2026 Unity Cup is fast approaching in SE7, with Nigeria, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and India set to bring international football to The Valley when the tournament kicks off on Tuesday.
SE7 hosted the inaugural Unity Cup tournament in 2004, which was won by Nigeria, who were joined by Jamaica and the Republic of Ireland, competing in a round-robin format.
Over the years, The Valley has played host to a number of other memorable, and often unusual, international fixtures. We take a look back at some of the international matches and teams that have visited SE7.
Somewhat surprisingly, England’s national team have visited The Valley on occasions - facing Jimmy Seed’s Charlton became something of a regular fixture during the mid-1950s.
Although they could not be considered ‘official internationals', they included players who were, or became, full internationals.
November 1st, 1954 - Charlton 2 England 1
The Addicks first welcomed the Three Lions to The Valley in 1954, in an hour-long 'practice match'.
Seed’s Addicks were victorious over Walter Winterbottom’s England thanks to goals from Bobby Ayre and Billy Kiernan. Bill Slater was on the scoresheet for England.
The game was technically played behind closed doors, but was watched by hundreds of schoolboys.
March 29th, 1955 - Charlton 1 England 2
An England national team visited SE7 again the following year, playing Charlton in another 60-minute practice match.
England reversed the scoreline, this time winning 2-1. Kiernan would get on the scoresheet once again for the Addicks, while Graham Shaw and Dennis Wilshaw netted for England.
England’s Len Phillips was forced off with an injured right knee, ruling him out of his country’s international fixture with Scotland five days later.
September 27th, 1955 - Charlton 1 England 2
A 2-1 scoreline was a popular result in this unofficial ‘international’ fixture, as the Three Lions played in SE7 for the third time in two years.
John ‘Buck’ Ryan scored for Charlton, but goals from Jackie Milburn and Sir Tom Finney secured victory for England.
August 18th, 1982 - Charlton 1 China 0
The China (People’s Republic) national team came to the UK for a short tour in 1982, taking in games against Hereford United, Wigan Athletic, Rangers and Charlton.
The Addicks began their 1982/83 Second Division campaign with an away trip to Leicester City, but before the league kicked off, they hosted China in a friendly at The Valley.
Steve White netted the only goal of the game in front of a crowd of 2,333 in SE7.
April 29th, 1997 - England U21s 0 Georgia U21s 0
England U21s played Georgia in a UEFA European U21 qualifying group game at The Valley in 1997, with more than 12,000 people in attendance.
Former Addicks youngster and future manager Lee Bowyer was named as England’s captain, as the sides played out a goalless draw in south-east London.
February 8th, 2002 - England U20s 2 Russia U20s 0
England met Russia in an U20s international in SE7 in February 2005.
Former Addicks academy graduate Lloyd Sam featured off the bench for England, netting the second goal, while future Charlton players Gary Borrowdale, Bradley Wright-Phillips and Simon Francis also featured in the 2-0 win at The Valley as 10,426 watched on.
May 29th, 2004 - Republic of Ireland 0 Nigeria 3
The 2004 Unity Cup kicked off at The Valley with a comprehensive win for Nigeria. Bartholomew Ogbeche was at the double for the Super Eagles, either side of an Obafemi Martins strike to put their side in the driving seat in the three-team round-robin tournament.
Former Addicks skipper Mark Kinsella lined up for Ireland on the day, alongside then-Charlton captain Matt Holland, while future Addick Andy Reid started amongst the subs.
May 31st, 2004 - Jamaica 0 Nigeria 2
Nigeria sealed their Unity Cup crown with a 2-0 victory over Jamaica in SE7 two days later thanks to John Utaka and another Ogbeche strike.
Charlton forward Kevin Lisbie started the match for the Reggae Boyz.
June 2nd, 2004 - Jamaica 0 Republic of Ireland 1
The inaugural Unity Cup tournament came to a close with Ireland sealing a single-goal victory over Jamaica at The Valley as Graham Barrett netted the only goal of the game.
Lisbie again lined up for the Reggae Boyz, while future Addicks striker Deon Burton was amongst the subs.
Kinsella started for the Boys in Green once again, while Holland took his place on the bench.
August 5th, 2006 - Charlton 1 New Zealand 1
Ahead of their 2006/07 Premier League season, Charlton hosted the New Zealand national team in a pre-season friendly at The Valley.
The Addicks shared a goal apiece with the All Whites in a 1-1 draw. Marcus Bent opened the scoring for Charlton, but his effort was cancelled out by a goal from Campbell Banks.
Honourable mention
Football League U21s 0 Serie B U21s 0 - March 10th, 1998
One of the most unusual exhibition matches at The Valley was the Talk Radio International Challenge, held in March 1998.
A Football League U21 side, featuring the best young players in the Football League, faced off against the best U21s from Italy, made up of Serie B players.
The English side was managed by Addicks boss Alan Curbishley and his assistant Les Reed.
6,589 spectators attended on a cold Tuesday night in SE7, where the two teams played out a goalless draw. Young Addick Kevin Lisbie featured for the Football League side off the bench.
