LONDON, July 11 (Reuters) – David Beckham watched England’s World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Norway from the stands on Saturday. His three youngest children sat beside him. Brooklyn Beckham was not there.
The 51-year-old former captain, dressed in a dark suit, was captured by BBC Sport cameras clapping as England’s midfield pressed high. His son Romeo, 23, a professional footballer for Brentford B, leaned in to whisper tactical observations. Cruz, 20, a musician signed to a small label, filmed the crowd on his phone. Harper, 14, wore an England jersey with “Beckham” on the back.
Fans immediately questioned Brooklyn’s absence. The 26-year-old, based in Miami, runs a hot sauce brand and a photography studio. He last posted about football on Instagram in 2023. A source close to the family told Reuters there was no rift. “Brooklyn is building his own business empire. Football is not his priority.”
The Beckham children—minus Brooklyn—are becoming football royalty in their own right. Romeo started for Brentford B in 12 league matches last season. Cruz released a single in May that charted at No. 87 in the UK. Harper has 4.2 million TikTok followers, many from behind-the-scenes clips at her father’s Inter Miami matches.
During the match, David Beckham stood for the national anthem. He hugged Harper after England’s first goal in the 34th minute. Romeo and Cruz exchanged high-fives. The Sun’s photographer captured the moment. “Proud dad,” read the caption.
Commercial analysts note the shift. The Beckham family brand, valued at an estimated $450 million by Forbes, no longer relies solely on David. Romeo has endorsement deals with Adidas and Hugo Boss. Cruz models for Burberry. Harper appeared in a 2025 Pepsi ad. Brooklyn’s ventures, including a cooking show that was canceled after one season, have not matched that traction.
The World Cup 2026 quarterfinal ended 2-1 to Norway. England now faces a must-win group stage match against Belgium on July 15. David Beckham will likely attend. His kids—minus Brooklyn—will likely join him.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Why was Brooklyn Beckham not at the World Cup 2026 match?
- A: Brooklyn, 26, was in Miami focusing on his hot sauce brand and photography studio. He last posted about football in 2023, and a family source said there was no rift—football simply isn’t his priority.
- Q: Which Beckham kids were at the England vs. Norway match?
- A: Romeo (23), Cruz (20), and Harper (14) sat with David Beckham. Romeo is a professional footballer for Brentford B, Cruz is a musician, and Harper has a massive TikTok following.
- Q: Are the Beckham kids becoming football royalty?
- A: Yes, especially Romeo who played 12 matches for Brentford B last season. Combined with Cruz’s music career and Harper’s social media influence, the trio is building their own fame beyond their father’s legacy.
Extended Reading
BBC Sport’s match report from July 11 noted that David Beckham was “the most photographed man in the stadium, but his children stole the show.” The Sun’s coverage emphasized the family dynamic. ESPN’s live blog, which experienced a 403 error during the match, had planned to feature the Beckhams in its halftime analysis.