David Beckham (right) speaks with England captain Harry Kane at Inter Miami’s training base
The former England captain embraced Bukayo Saka (left) and Jude Bellingham (right)
Beckham enjoyed a chat with midfielder Declan Rice (right) and Jordan Pickford (left)
The Man United legend embraced Old Trafford star Kobbie Mainoo in Miami
And he had time for a chat with Reece James, who returned to training on Friday
Beckham watched England training in Miami alongside sons Romeo (left) and Cruz on Friday
Thomas Tuchel’s squad flew from their Kansas City base to Florida on Friday and headed straight to Fort Lauderdale for their final training session before Saturday night’s showdown. The setting was familiar to Beckham fans: Inter Miami’s training base, part of the MLS club co-owned by the former England captain.
For England, the visit carried more than just practical value. Beckham remains one of the country’s most recognisable football icons, and his presence added a layer of star power to a session already loaded with pressure, ambition and expectation.
Before the work began, Beckham was seen chatting with current England captain Harry Kane. The pair have stayed in touch over the years, and Kane later revealed that Beckham had simply wished the team luck.
Jordan Henderson was another onlooker during England training after breaking his left wrist
England used Inter Miami’s training base ahead of their World Cup quarter-final vs Norway
Kane said England appreciated being able to use the base Beckham helped build, describing him as an England legend and saying the squad hoped to make him proud in the quarter-final.
There were also warm moments with several of England’s biggest names. Beckham embraced Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham, chatted with Declan Rice and Jordan Pickford, and also had time for Manchester United youngster Kobbie Mainoo and Reece James, who returned to training on Friday.
Once the session got underway, Beckham watched from the sidelines with his sons Romeo and Cruz. Their appearance gave the day a Beckham family feel, coming at a key moment for England’s campaign and for Miami as one of the biggest football stages of the tournament.
The Three Lions face Norway in Miami at 10pm BST, knowing that victory would set up a semi-final against either reigning champions Argentina or Switzerland on Wednesday. After their dramatic 3-2 win over Mexico in the last 16, England arrive in Florida with momentum – but also with a few selection concerns.
Jordan Henderson was among those watching rather than training. The experienced midfielder has been ruled out for the rest of the World Cup after breaking his wrist in a freak accident following England’s win over Mexico. On Friday, he was seen with his left arm in a cast while sitting near Tuchel and members of the backroom staff.
There was brighter news elsewhere, with Marc Guehi, Reece James and Declan Rice all back involved after missing Wednesday’s session while working on individual programmes. Their returns will be a boost for Tuchel as he looks to settle his plans for a quarter-final carrying enormous stakes.
One player England cannot call upon is Jarell Quansah, who has been handed a two-match ban after his red card against Mexico. Tuchel said he had not been given an explanation for the length of the suspension, adding to his frustration after publicly criticising the officiating standards at the tournament.
The England boss had already voiced concern after VAR decisions played a major role in the Mexico match, including Quansah’s dismissal and a penalty conceded by Kane. Now, with Norway waiting, he will want the focus firmly back on football rather than controversy.
Still, Beckham’s Miami welcome offered a timely reminder of England’s wider story: past and present meeting on American soil, with one former captain watching another try to lead the nation deeper into a World Cup dream.
For Kane and his team-mates, the message is simple. The stage is set, the pressure is growing, and an England legend has already delivered his good-luck wish. Now the Three Lions must do the rest under the Miami lights.
