David Beckham cut a dashing figure as he joined Dave Gardner for England’s match against Iran during the World Cup in Qatar on Monday.
The former footballer, 47, looked sharp in a navy blue suit and white shirt as he prepared to watch the match with his sports agent friend, 46, at the Khalifa International Stadium, Doha.
Earlier in the day, he took to Instagram to share some heartwarming snaps of the morning he spent with England fans ahead of the opening game.
The controversy surrounding his £10 million promotional deal with the tournament organizers continues.
Spectators: David Beckham (right) joined his best friend Dave Gardner (left) at England’s match against Iran on Monday after meeting fans, amid controversy over his £10m World Cup contract from Qatar.
He wrote: “Spent a special morning with the @england fans reliving some great memories ahead of the big game.”
“I’m so excited for Gareth and the team… good luck guys, the whole country is behind you.”
England wunderkinds Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka and tournament veteran Raheem Sterling helped the Three Lions take a 4-0 lead over Iran during an excellent first half in their World Cup opening game this afternoon.
The 19-year-old Birmingham-born Borussia Dortmund wunderkind wowed thousands of fans at the stadium, and millions at home, when he rose to point his head after a cross from Manchester United’s Luke Shaw. He made history by becoming only the second teenager in history to score in a World Cup for England, after Michael Owen in 1998.
Busy day: Earlier, he took to Instagram to share some heartwarming snaps of the morning he spent with England fans ahead of the opening game
And minutes later Saka, 21, finished off on goal with a left foot that went off the crossbar. And then the 27-year-old Sterling volleyed in following a cross from captain Harry Kane, effectively winning the game before half time. Saka then took a quarter with an hour on the clock.
The Three Lions were also denied a clear penalty three minutes into the game, when Harry Maguire was clearly dragged down in the box. Maguire then headed against the crossbar.
Thousands of Three Lions supporters are at the Khalifa Stadium in Doha, including the players’ WAGs and David Beckham, as millions watch from home, work or in pubs with high streets across the UK deserted as people gather prepare for the game at 1:00 pm
Having fun: Wrote: “Spent a special morning with the @inglaterra fans reliving great memories before the big game.”
England took a knee starting their first World Cup campaign against Iran in one of the most politically charged games in English football history after a dispute over the wearing of a rainbow captain’s armband for Harry Kane, who retired after pressure from FIFA.
Kane looked serious as he led the team onto the field. The England captain did not wear the rainbow ‘OneLove’ armband after the threat of a yellow card proved too risky for the FA. Alan Shearer said today that Kane had been put in an impossible position ahead of one of the biggest games of his career, but added that he would probably have worn the bracelet himself.
Kane wore the official FIFA ‘No Discrimination’ armband, having removed his England jacket after the national anthems. Loud whistles greeted the Iranian anthem, and the entire Iran team opted not to sing.
Chatting: Dave (centre-left) and David (centre-right) chatting with fellow attendees and staff
Get busy: the booth was later filled with audience members
Friendly: David greeted a fan as he made his way to the stadium with Dave
The entire England team took a knee and Harry Kane appeared to raise his fist, but the Iranians did not participate.
Before the goals rained down, English fans were furious over the fact that the Three Lions failed to get a penalty three minutes into their World Cup opener.
England had an early corner which was taken by Kieran Trippier and Harry Maguire appeared to be carried off by Iranian defender Roozbeh Cheshmi.
Shortly after the game was stopped for 10 minutes after an injury to the head of the Iranian goalkeeper, who was substituted. Maguire then hit the crossbar with a header as England dominated.
Uh-oh – Follows the controversy surrounding his £10 million promotional deal with tournament organizers.
Bellingham would do better soon after, the Borussia Dortmund midfielder heading home Luke Shaw’s cross to break the tie 10 minutes before half-time.
Saka would double the lead before the break, with a fine volley from Maguire’s header to banish his missed penalty last summer.
With the fourth official marking 14 minutes of added time, England scored the third through Raheem Sterling, who finished off Kane’s cross after some great play from the Southgate side.
The controversy surrounding David’s £10 million promotional deal with the tournament organizers continues.
The former England captain was pictured in the stands watching during the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday.
Stunt: Comedian Joe livestreamed himself ‘destroying £10,000’ after David failed to back out of his £10m World Cup contract
Becks is believed to have remained in the stands to watch the match between hosts Qatar and Ecuador, which officially kicks off the tournament.
Beckham’s attendance comes as comedian Joe Lycett livestreamed himself ‘shredding £10,000’ for charity after the footballer failed to back out of his lucrative World Cup promotional deal.
Comedian Joe, 34, has been outspoken about being queer and advocated for LGBTQ+ rights.
The comic gave Beckham an ultimatum after it was reported that he had signed a £10m contract with the FIFA World Cup hosts despite the nation’s questionable human rights record.
Homosexuality remains illegal in the Gulf state and anyone caught engaging in same-sex sexual activity can be punished with up to seven years in prison.
David unusually ran away from the stadium after the opening game.
The former England captain, who is known to love his camera, avoided photographers as he drove away in a limousine with the windows covered.
He had watched his paymaster Qatar lose to Ecuador from a hospitality box, and had also entered the stadium through a VIP entrance, barely noticed and keeping a low profile.
Despite other VIPs being shown on the stadium’s big screens, Beckham was not filmed.
He had flown to Doha as a World Cup guest and had been hired to help publicize the state’s World Cup messaging.
Controversial: The comic gave former English footballer David Beckham (pictured November 2021) an ultimatum after it was reported that he had signed a £10m contract with the FIFA World Cup hosts.