David Beckham, the iconic footballer, recently delved into his cherished experiences from the World Cup and shared insights on his family’s fondness for fast food, particularly McDonald’s, in a conversation with PEOPLE. His remarks come as part of a partnership with the fast-food giant in anticipation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Beckham, who is now 51 years old, reminisced about the significance of McDonald’s in his childhood. Growing up in the East End of London, the opening of a McDonald’s just ten minutes from his home marked an exciting chapter for the Beckham family. “As you can imagine, as a kid, having McDonald’s close to your house was very exciting, to be honest,” he reminisced. “It was always about bringing the family together — me and my two sisters, and my parents.”
A particularly amusing memory involved his youngest son, Cruz, during the COVID-19 lockdown. Beckham recounted receiving a call about Cruz’s rather extravagant order of 50 packets of Big Mac sauce. “I thought it must be a joke,” Beckham said, only to later find the hefty order delivered to their home. “I asked Cruz, and he said, yeah, Dad, I missed the sauce,” he added with a laugh.
Beckham reaffirmed that his family continues to enjoy their visits to McDonald’s, stating, “Without a doubt, McDonald’s has created something where it’s about bringing people together, and that’s what I love with my family.” His travels as a global figure in football have allowed him to sample McDonald’s in various countries, but his order remains unchanged. “My go-to always is: Big Mac cheeseburger, large fries — which the fries always end up in the middle of the cheeseburger — and a large strawberry milkshake,” he said. He did, however, express nostalgia for the McRib as a past favourite.
Reflecting on his football career, Beckham recalled his World Cup journey representing England in 1998, 2002, and 2006. He notably scored in each tournament, making him the only English player to achieve such a feat. He reflected fondly on scoring his first goal for England on his mother’s birthday during his inaugural World Cup match against Colombia. Leading the national team as captain, he described as “the best feeling in the world.”
With the 2026 World Cup set to take place in North America, Beckham highlighted a pivotal moment for the sport in the United States, which is co-hosting the event alongside Canada and Mexico. “It’s a real moment now for the game to then go to the next level,” Beckham said, especially considering the growing popularity of soccer across the United States over the past couple of decades.
He emphasised the importance of inspiring young players, as they will have the chance to witness their heroes compete in their communities. Beckham himself remains deeply committed to supporting England in the tournament, proclaiming, “I’m always gonna say England. I’m the biggest England supporter, even when I was playing and even more so now that I’m not playing anymore.”
However, he recognises the strength of other national teams, acknowledging France, Spain, Brazil, and Germany as formidable contenders. Beckham also touched upon Argentina’s potential, nodding towards Lionel Messi, who currently plays for Inter Miami—co-owned by Beckham himself.
“There’s always a surprise in a World Cup,” he noted. “There’s always a surprise with a country that does well, and there’s always a surprise with an up-and-coming player that emerges from a World Cup.”
As anticipation builds for the upcoming event, Beckham’s insights combine nostalgia with excitement, showcasing not only his love for the game but also the simple joys of family connections centred around shared experiences, such as indulging in a beloved fast-food favourite. His reflections serve as a reminder of how football and familial bonds can come together, creating lasting memories across generations.