British football star of the 1990s and 2000s, David Beckham, has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Its opening ceremony took place on Friday, June 12, in Los Angeles, in the suburbs of which in the evening of the same day the first match of the 2026 World Cup (2026 World Cup) will be held for the United States.
The 2026 World Cup kicked off on Thursday, June 11, with the Mexico-South Africa match in the Mexican capital of Mexico City. On Friday, the other two host countries of the tournament – the USA and Canada – will take up the baton. In the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, Team USA will play against Team Paraguay – the match will begin at 6:00 pm local time (9:00 ET). As RTVI.US previously reported, singers Katy Perry and Lisa from the K-pop group Blackpink will take part in the opening ceremony.
As the administration of the Walk of Fame noted, Beckham's star became the 2849th on Hollywood Boulevard. As reasons for its award, chief producer Ana Martinez cited Beckham's popularization of soccer (soccer) in America, his numerous championships during his sports career, as well as the start of the 2026 World Cup.
In the last years of his career, Beckham moved to the United States, where he played for the Los Angeles Galaxy team in the Major League Soccer league. In 2018, he became a co-owner of the new football club Inter Miami in Florida, which subsequently managed to sign Argentine star Lionel Messi.
Beckham himself, his wife Victoria and family friend, actor Tom Cruise, gave a speech at the star's opening ceremony, notes E! News. The event was also attended by the footballer's Galaxy teammate Robbie Keane and the Beckham children – Romeo, 23, Cruz, 21, and Harper, 14. The eldest son Brooklyn, who had previously publicly accused his mother of inappropriate behavior at his wedding, did not come to honor his father.
“Children, I hope you will bring my grandchildren here one day and tell them about the boy who dreamed big. Making you all proud is my greatest achievement,” Beckham, 51, said in his address.
