David Beckham's heartbreaking reaction after Victoria's World Cup phone call about Brooklyn has reopened family drama. The former England captain recalled how he wanted to be with his wife after learning she was pregnant with their first child, Brooklyn, but couldn't because he discovered the news the night before England's infamous clash with Argentina at the 1998 World Cup.
The 1998 World Cup Incident
That round-of-16 fixture went down in England's World Cup history for all the wrong reasons. Beckham was sent off in Saint-Etienne as Argentina twice came from behind to draw 2-2 before beating the Three Lions on penalties. The Manchester United and Real Madrid icon, now 51, was at least able to catch an earlier flight home to celebrate the pregnancy news with his wife Victoria.
Current Family Tensions
Fast-forward to today, and the relationship between the three is far frostier. Brooklyn, 27, has been estranged from his parents following a series of bombshells last year. The tensions have only continued to build after he recently appeared in an advertisement for DoorDash seemingly making light of the split.
In the ad, Brooklyn can be seen parked up on his couch before saying: "You're probably wondering why I'm watching the FIFA World Cup 2026 from home." He then chuckles and throws his World Cup tickets onto a coffee table as he added: "It's a long story."
The Phone Call That Changed Everything
It's a long way from the warmth shared by his parents when they recalled the events of David finding out 'Posh' was pregnant. He was already out in France and preparing for the last-16 clash against Argentina when his world got turned upside-down by one phone call.
Speaking on the 2023 Beckham documentary, Victoria said: "He was so so happy, we both were. There was never any doubt in my mind I shouldn't tell him, it was what we wanted. He could not have been happier."
Director Frazer Campbell quizzed: "So you tell him the night before the biggest game of his life. Did you think it would help?" Victoria conceded she didn't know at the time. When asked by Campbell whether he wanted to then leave England's camp, David replied: "It was the first thing I wanted to do but I couldn't."
Brooklyn's Estrangement
It wasn't long before he was permitted to travel back and be with his loved ones in the wake of their news. Brooklyn is very much not part of the family unit for this year's World Cup, however, and made sure of that with his new ad cameo.
England's 2026 World Cup kits are available for purchase, with free delivery on all orders using the code: ENGFREEDEL.
