Beckham Earns RM102 Million from World Cup Ad ‘Face Time’
Los Angeles: David Beckham has stolen the spotlight after becoming one of the most prominent television faces throughout the tournament, thanks to his appearances in various commercials aired during the 2026 World Cup matches being held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The 51-year-old former England captain has appeared in advertisements for several major brands, including Pepsi, McDonald’s, Lay’s, Stella Artois, Home Depot, Bank of America, Verizon and Adidas. From pre-match broadcasts, half-time breaks to hydration breaks, he seems to be constantly on screen.
While many fans consider the overexposure to be distracting and disruptive to their focus during matches, Beckham has found a highly lucrative new platform for brand endorsement activities.
The hydration break was originally introduced to allow players to drink water and cool down, but it has now become a topic of debate.
Fans argue that the break session has turned football into a television product, seemingly splitting matches into four quarters instead of the usual two halves.
In this environment, Beckham is seen as the ideal spokesperson for advertising giants. Reports estimate that the former player earned approximately £19 million (RM102 million) from World Cup-related advertising alone.
His ads appear multiple times per match, before kick-off, during breaks and at half-time.
Sports economist Patrick Rishe told the Daily Mail that Beckham remains among the few international figures capable of capturing the attention of diverse audience groups.
The former England midfielder is described as highly recognisable, sophisticated in image and trustworthy, making him a safe choice for global brands, while Beckham’s connection with American football spans nearly 20 years.
After featuring in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups, he joined LA Galaxy in 2007 and helped revive the popularity of football among American fans.
He later became a co-owner of Inter Miami, the club that brought Lionel Messi to the MLS.
His business empire continues to grow, and Beckham was recently reported to have entered the billionaire bracket.
The lifetime contract with Adidas, signed in 2003, is estimated to be worth more than £100 million (RM541 million).
He has also collaborated with various global brands through viral advertising campaigns, from the Stella Artois ad with Matt Damon to appearances alongside Will Ferrell, Timothée Chalamet and other celebrities.
Today, the Beckham brand is seen as stronger than ever. He is no longer just a retired football legend, but a global icon capable of turning the hydration break into a multi-million-pound business opportunity.
Harian Metro