England fans were desperate to see the national team get back on track against Panama at the 2026 World Cup, and they were given a boost when David Beckham was shown on the big screens at New York/New Jersey Stadium03:08, 28 Jun 2026Former England icon David Beckham helped lift the dampened spirits inside New York/New Jersey Stadium during the England Vs Panama match.‌The anticipation was palpable ahead of kick-off, with England supporters commandeering a nearby shopping centre, festooning the railings with hundreds of flags.‌Having beaten Croatia 4-2 before stumbling to a 0-0 stalemate with Ghana, England supporters were desperately eager to see their side get back to winning ways, though early signs were far from encouraging. The atmosphere shifted dramatically when England icon Beckham appeared on the big screens, prompting the loudest roar of the evening.‌Much of the conversation surrounding this World Cup has centred on the sweltering heat and the much-debated hydration break, which has been enforced regardless of conditions. It was hardly necessary in New Jersey, however, where heavy rain and temperatures cooler than those back in Britain made for rather different surroundings.For England, the conditions felt far more familiar than a typical away fixture on American soil, yet that offered little boost to their performance. A dismal first half ended goalless, with already-eliminated Panama fashioning the better opportunities, reports the Mirror US.‌Supporters had queued for hours before the gates opened, some wrapped in ponchos and coats while others were drenched throughout the afternoon. The bare minimum those fans demanded was passion and determination, yet England barely got out of the blocks.A tepid second half followed, and it appeared England might find themselves finishing second in Group L. Yet just as England, Thomas Tuchel, and the supporters were desperately seeking a spark, Beckham suddenly appeared on the Jumbotron, sending the England faithful into raptures as though a goal had been scored.In a remarkable coincidence, talismanic striker Harry Kane had England's finest opportunity moments later, and the crowd suddenly rediscovered the drive and conviction they had been so desperately craving. Shortly afterwards, Jude Bellingham fired England into the lead, and a wave of sheer relief swept around the stadium.‌The Three Lions will advance as group winners and turn their attention to the Round of 32 tie. All it took was Beckham's presence to energise the crowd, underlining his enduring influence.It wasn't entirely smooth sailing for England, however, as Jarel Quansah suffered an injury scare and was forced off the pitch. Quansah had already been filling in for injured right-backs Tino Livramento and Reece James.Article continues belowFollow our World Cup live blog by clicking here.