Former England captain David Beckham has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, joining entertainment royalty in Los Angeles just hours before the United States hosts its opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Beckham, 51, received the honour on Friday in a ceremony attended by Hollywood star Tom Cruise, who praised his impact on the growth of football in the United States.
Addressing fans on the Hollywood Boulevard, Beckham described the recognition as a “truly incredible moment,” saying he could never have imagined such an honour for a working-class footballer from England.
He said the timing was especially significant, coming as the United States prepares to celebrate the opening of the 2026 World Cup.
“It’s a powerful moment to recognize how the sport I love so much has grown in this country over the past three decades,” he said.
Cruise, speaking at the event, credited Beckham’s arrival in Major League Soccer with transforming the sport’s profile in the US, noting that his move to LA Galaxy helped spark widespread interest in football across the country.
“When David arrived, Major League Soccer had 13 teams. Today, it has 30,” Cruise said, describing Beckham’s legacy as one that reshaped the sport’s trajectory in America.
Beckham, who played for LA Galaxy between 2007 and 2012, said he was deeply honoured to be recognised by one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, calling Cruise “an inspiration and a loyal friend.”
His wife, fashion designer and former Spice Girls member Victoria Beckham, also attended the ceremony, noting that football in the United States is entering one of its most exciting eras.
The United States is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, with the American team set to begin its campaign in Los Angeles later on Friday against Paraguay.
Beckham retired from professional football in 2013 after a distinguished career with clubs including Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. He later became an investor in Inter Miami CF and founded media company Studio 99 in 2019.
