At the 2026 World Cup, FIFA issued a regulation requiring teams to have breaks for players to drink water in order to protect their health in hot weather conditions and help teams recover physically in a long tournament with a high frequency of matches.
However, interrupting the game, which inadvertently split each half into two smaller segments, allowed television stations to increase advertising airtime. This is precisely what helped David Beckham – the face of at least eight major brands in the US market – achieve enormous revenue.
According to Brazilian media reports, thanks to his frequent appearances in commercials broadcast during these breaks, the former English football star earned approximately $25 million.
Brands using Beckham's image include giants like Pepsi, McDonald's, Lay's, Stella Artois, Home Depot, Bank of America, Verizon, and especially Adidas - his lifetime partner.
Experts believe that Beckham's enduring reputation and positive image make him a top choice that few former players can match.
However, the revenue from the 2026 World Cup is only a small part of the diversified business empire that David Beckham has built after retiring from football.
According to Forbes magazine, the 51-year-old legend officially became a billionaire at the beginning of 2026 with an estimated net worth of approximately $1.568 trillion.
In addition to commercial contracts, he is also a co-owner of Inter Miami FC in the MLS – where star Lionel Messi plays – alongside numerous investments in the fashion and entertainment industries.
Beckham's journey from the heights at Manchester United, the "Galacticos" era at Real Madrid, to becoming a legend at LA Galaxy, laid the perfect foundation for him to become one of the most successful businessmen in the history of world football..
At this year's tournament, Beckham's image continued to be strongly present, from media campaigns to his frequent appearances in the stands watching top-tier matches.