World Cup 2026: Why David Beckham was face of the tournament in the US
Such widespread interest did not arise by chance. It built on Beckham’s football legacy in America.
He remains the player with the distinctive free-kicks, being part of Manchester United’s treble-winning team in 1999, England’s captain and one of Real Madrid’s original Galácticos.
Dan Courtemanche, executive vice president and chief communications officer of Major League Soccer, admitted that Beckham’s impact on soccer in America cannot be overstated.
“I always tell people he changed the fate of American football. Not once, but twice,” he said.
When Beckham signed for LA Galaxy 19 years ago, stadiums in Major League Soccer were sold out before he had even played a competitive match.
The league needed credibility, and he gave it something even broader: mainstream fame.
Sixteen years later, Beckham helped persuade Argentine icon Messi to choose Inter Miami over rival offers from around the world; Another moment that transformed MLS, according to Courtemanche.
“Lionel Messi has decided to make Major League Soccer his league of choice and Inter Miami his club of choice,” he added. “Again, it took us to a whole new level.”
Tom Braun, LA Galaxy’s president and chief operating officer, said Beckham’s influence extends far beyond football.
“David is an iconic figure in our sport and culture,” he explained.
“He built a business around his brand and it continues to resonate with people.”
The evolution of the 51-year-old footballer, who also played for AC Milan and Paris St-Germain before retiring in 2013, was perhaps best symbolized this summer on Hollywood Boulevard.
When Beckham accepted his star on the Walk of Fame, he stated that he never imagined a “working-class English footballer” would receive such an honour.
At the award ceremony, not only the life of football player Beckham, but also cultural figure Beckham was celebrated.
“David Beckham means the World Cup for America,” Jones said.
“That is football for us.”
Beckham, who came to Los Angeles with the promise of developing football, is still helping sell football to America.
However, now he does this with the brand, not with the free kick.
