David Beckham watches England vs USA in hospitality box at Qatar World Cup
>
David Beckham watches England vs USA in hospitality box as he keeps a low profile amid backlash over his $13 million ambassador role for the Qatar World Cup
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
David Beckham joined thousands of fans in Friday’s huge group stage match between England and the United States at the World Cup.
The high-profile figure and former England captain took a seat in a hospitality box to watch the game at Qatar’s Al Bayt Stadium.
Beckham has kept an unusual low profile amid controversy over his reported $13 million ambassador role for the Qatar World Cup, slipping into the stadium shortly before kick-off.
FIFA’s decision to host the World Cup in Qatar has been clouded by criticism of migrant workers and the LGBTQ+ community.
Beckham was joined by best friend Dave Gardner in England’s emphatic 6-2 victory over Iran in their opening Group B game on Monday.
The celebrity faced backlash for refusing to end his association with the sporting event over a long list of human rights concerns.
David Beckham took a seat in a hospitality box to watch England vs USA at the Qatar World Cup
Beckham has faced backlash for refusing to end his reported association with sporting events
The ex-England star was also pictured in the stands at the opening ceremony of the tournament at Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday. It is believed the 47-year-old stayed in the stands to watch Ecuador beat hosts Qatar.
Beckham’s rise came after England comedian Joe Lycett “torn himself” via a live stream of £10,000 earmarked for charity after the footballer failed to pull out of his lucrative World Cup promotion deal.
Lycett, 34, has spoken openly about being queer and advocated for LGBTQ+ rights.
The comic gave Beckham an ultimatum with homosexuality illegal in the Gulf state and anyone caught engaging in same-sex sexual activity could be punished with up to seven years in prison.
Beckham also attended the opening ceremony in Qatar and England’s 6-2 win over Iran
Beckham was joined by best friend Dave Gardner (left) during the match between England and Iran on Monday
Beckham, who is known to love the camera, avoided photographers when he left after the opening game of the tournament in a limousine with blacked-out windows.
He had watched his paymasters lose Qatar 2-0 from a hospitality box, and had also entered the stadium through a VIP entrance, barely noticed.
Despite other VIPs appearing on the big stadium screens, Beckham was not filmed.
He had flown to Doha as a World Cup guest and signed a contract to help publicize the state’s World Cup messages.