Beckham reportedly earns $23M from World Cup water breaks

David Beckham speaks before a game of Inter Miami on April 4, 2026. Photo by Reuters

At the 2026 tournament in North America, referees stop the game at the 22nd minute of each half. During these designated breaks, players from both teams are allowed to leave the field for three minutes to hydrate.

This new rule is applied to all 104 matches, regardless of weather conditions or temperature. It has become a subject of debate throughout the tournament, with fans in some stadiums continuously booing during the breaks.

While the breaks frustrate some viewers, they have proven highly beneficial for a few people, most notably English football legend David Beckham.

During each match, when Fox switches to commercial breaks at halftime or during either of the two hydration breaks, Beckham can appear in up to three different advertisements. He is the face of campaigns for major global brands, including Home Depot, McDonald's, Stella Artois, Verizon, Adidas, Bank of America, Pepsi and Lay's.

According to Globo, at least eight brands have used the former Real Madrid star's image in commercials on American television. The Brazilian publication estimates that these lucrative advertising contracts have brought Beckham around $23 million. Analysts suggest his earnings could even reach around $25 million.

"Brands work with Beckham because he is dependable and recognizable," marketing consulting firm Made Clear stated, as quoted by The Mirror.

This commercial dominance is proof of the massive influence Beckham has built in the U.S. since joining LA Galaxy in 2007. Despite retiring from professional football in 2013, he remains one of the sport's most commercially successful figures, according to The Telegraph.

Because the U.S. advertising industry is willing to spend huge sums on high-profile TV commercials, Beckham is viewed as a safe and effective choice to convey brand messages to a massive audience.

In this World Cup, Beckham does not work as a commentator, nor does he hold any official contract with FIFA. A senior FIFA official confirmed that the governing body has no commercial relationship with him, despite his presence in U.S. broadcasts.

In mid-May, Beckham reached a financial milestone, becoming the first British athlete or former athlete to surpass £1 billion (US$1.329) in net worth, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2026.

The English football icon maintains a highly diversified investment portfolio that generates significant income. One of his most valuable assets is Inter Miami CF, the MLS franchise featuring Lionel Messi. The majority of his endorsement deals are long-term partnerships, including a lucrative lifetime contract with Adidas.

During his playing career, Beckham reached his peak with Manchester United, where he secured six Premier League titles, before moving to Real Madrid to join the first era of the star-studded squad that were nicknamed the Galacticos.