David Beckham has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an occasion he described as "surreal." The ceremony, attended by his wife Victoria and close friend Tom Cruise, featured a green soccer-themed carpet instead of the traditional red one, celebrating the sport.
Tom Cruise Praises Beckham's Journey
Cruise lauded Beckham's career, calling it "a Hollywood story" of hard work, determination, and global influence on both sport and culture. Beckham expressed his gratitude, saying, "I've always been a dreamer, but I could never have imagined that an honor like this would come to a working-class English soccer player like me."
World Cup 2026 Opening Ceremony
Beckham noted the timing of the honor, as the United States prepares to host the 2026 World Cup. "How fitting then that I am here today as we prepare to celebrate the opening here in the US of the 2026 World Cup. It's a powerful moment to recognize how the sport I love so much has grown in this country over the past three decades," he said.
Beckham, who played for LA Galaxy from 2007 and co-owns Inter Miami, also acknowledged Cruise: "To stand here in front of my friend Tom Cruise, the greatest movie star of our time, is quite frankly mind-blowing. You welcomed us to LA 20 years ago and you have been a loyal friend and an inspiration to me ever since."
Celebrity-Filled World Cup Opener
Beckham and Cruise joined other celebrities at Los Angeles Stadium for the US opening match against Paraguay, which the US won 4-1. The crowd included Leonardo DiCaprio, Halle Berry, Rob Lowe, Owen Wilson, and Paris Hilton, as performers danced around a giant World Cup trophy on the pitch.
Katy Perry performed during the opening ceremony and later watched the game with her partner, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Donald Trump did not attend but spoke to the US team via phone, wishing them luck.
Canada's World Cup Debut
Earlier, Canada began their campaign in Toronto with a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Canadian actors Ryan Reynolds and Mike Myers were in the crowd, marking the first World Cup game on Canadian soil. Singer Alanis Morissette closed the opening ceremony with a rendition of O Canada.
