David Beckham honored with Walk of Fame star as LA hosts World Cup matches

David Beckham, the first England player to win league titles in four countries, was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Friday, the day the US-hosted leg of the 2026 World Cup kicked off with eight matches for Los Angeles.

Instead of a traditional Hollywood red carpet, the ceremony used a football-themed green field carpet to commemorate the occasion.

Radio host Ellen K introduced speakers including Tom Cruise and Beckham’s wife, Victoria Beckham. Cruise praised Beckham’s journey, saying it was «a Hollywood story» of hard work, determination and global influence on sports and culture.

Victoria Beckham said the honor felt timely ahead of the World Cup in Los Angeles. She noted that U.S. soccer is entering “one of the most exciting chapters in its history.”

Beckham took the stage and called the moment «surreal.» He reflected on growing up in East London with dreams of football, never imagining recognition in Hollywood. He spoke about the skepticism he faced after joining Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy in 2007, as many fans wondered why the US was so popular. was so late to embrace the globally popular sport.

Beckham, who is now president and co-owner of Inter Miami CF, said he was proud of the growing popularity of the sport in the US. He also had a special message for his children.

«I’m going to get emotional now. Kids, I hope one day you bring my grandchildren here and tell them about a boy who dreams big to make you all proud, that is my greatest achievement,» he said.

Over a career spanning two decades, Beckham played for some of the world’s most prominent teams, including Manchester United, Real Madrid, AC Milan, LA Galaxy and Paris Saint-Germain.

Primarily a right midfielder, he was known for his precise passing and crossing ability and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.

Beckham’s influence extended into pop culture with projects like Netflix’s docuseries «Beckham,» which chronicled his football journey, and «Victoria Beckham,» which focused on his wife’s evolution from Spice Girl to fashion mogul. The movie “Bend It Like Beckham” was also inspired by his legacy.

Since retiring as a player in 2013, Beckham has remained a global figure thanks to partnerships with major brands including Adidas, Bank of America, Hugo Boss, Stella Artois and Sands.

Published on June 13, 2026