David Beckham’s decision to stick with his investment in Inter Miami after years of failed plans and ownership changes was ultimately about building a “legacy in America” and helping lift soccer here to “another level,” he said at the Forbes 2026 Iconoclast Summit on Wednesday, as the U.S. prepares to co-host the World Cup for the first time in 32 years.

Beckham said he knew he wanted to work and live in the United States after he “fell in love” with America during the last time the U.S. hosted the World Cup in 1994.

He noted that helping build Inter Miami was “the biggest challenge in my career personally and professionally” after it fell $39 million in debt following three failed stadium plans.

At one point, MLS commissioner Don Garber offered to buy back the team for $50 million, to which Beckham says he responded: “No, Don, I believe in this,” adding, “That’s all I had to say.”

Beckham also somewhat emotionally described being knighted by King Charles in November, stating, “It doesn't get better than that.”

Beckham spoke at the Forbes Iconoclast conference after recently being named a billionaire .

In addition to his 26% stake in Inter Miami, Beckham’s wealth comes from his career as one of the most recognizable athletes in the world and his endorsement deals continue 12 years after retiring—he made $100 million last year from deals with Nespresso and Adidas, among others.

Who Are The 7 Living Sports Billionaires?

Beckham now joins Michael Jordan , Magic Johnson , Tiger Woods , Le­Bron James , Roger Federer and retired Romanian tennis player and coach Ion Tiriac in the billionaire club.

$1.35 billion. That’s how much Beckham’s Inter Miami is worth before debt, according to Forbes estimates, a league record that puts Beckham’s 26% stake north of $300 million.

As the U.S. cohosts the World Cup for the first time since 1994, Miami is set to host seven matches at the 65,000-seat Hard Rock Stadium. Beckham noted the tournament is a massive opportunity to bring younger audiences to football. He also serves as the face of MLS’s promotional campaign and has deals with brands including Adidas, Lay’s and Verizon.

When Does The 2026 World Cup Start?

The tournament officially kicks off on June 11, with South Africa taking on Mexico at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the first stadium to host three FIFA World Cup opening matches.

Beckham is notorious for being early which “annoys” his wife Victoria, Beckham told Forbes. “We went to a party recently and we actually were turning up while the servers were still setting the tables,” he said.

Beckham joined the billionaire club in May , becoming one of just seven living professional athletes to reach a $1 billion net worth. By the time he retired from professional soccer in 2013, he had earned more than half a billion dollars on and off the field. When he shocked the soccer world and left Real Madrid for the LA Galaxy in 2007, he secured a five-year contract worth $6.5 million per year, plus a cut of the team’s sponsorship and merchandise revenue and, most importantly, an option to buy an MLS expansion team for $25 million after he retired. He exercised that option in 2014 and chose Miami, though building the team took more than a decade and three failed stadium plans. Miami played six seasons in a temporary stadium in Fort Lauderdale before Beckham and co-owners Jorge and Jose Mas landed on Miami Freedom Park, a $1 billion project that includes the new 27,000-seat Nu Stadium, hotel rooms and office spaces. Outside of soccer, Beckham also launched multiple products, including his anti-aging and holistic health supplement brand IM8 and Beeup, his line of children’s fruit snacks made from honey.