David Beckham and U2 unite for emotional World Cup film

Charity project shines spotlight on homeless children through football as global icons lend voices to hopeful campaign

David Beckham and U2 have joined forces for a new short film that aims to highlight the struggles faced by homeless children while celebrating the life changing power of football ahead of the closing stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Titled Street of Dreams, the four minute film follows a young girl named Calle whose life is disrupted by homelessness. Despite the challenges she faces, she refuses to abandon her dream of playing football. The story blends realism with imagination, portraying Beckham as a symbolic inner voice who encourages her to keep believing in herself during moments of uncertainty.

The project was unveiled on July 8 and has been created in partnership with the charity Street Child United. Bank of America, where Beckham serves as Global Sports Ambassador, backed the production as part of its wider Sports with Us initiative. The campaign aims to make football more accessible to young people while supporting opportunities for children who face significant social and economic challenges.

Alongside newcomer Nevaeh Derricks, Beckham appears throughout the film before Bono and the other members of U2 feature near the conclusion. The story is accompanied by U2's new song "Street of Dreams", which shares its title with the film. The track also marks the band's first new material ahead of its forthcoming studio album, its first collection of all new music in nine years.

Although the full short film will be released online, a specially edited 30 second version is scheduled to air during FOX and Telemundo's North American broadcasts of the FIFA World Cup semi finals and final beginning July 13. The campaign is expected to reach millions of football fans during one of the biggest sporting events of the year.

Beckham said the project reflected his own experiences growing up in football and the importance of having people who believed in his potential.

"Football has given me opportunities I could never have imagined, but none of it would have been possible without people who believed in me along the way," Beckham said. "Through my work with Bank of America and Street Child United, I have had the privilege of meeting incredible young people from around the world who have overcome unimaginable challenges with courage, resilience and hope. Their stories stay with you."

 

 

 

 

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U2 also explained why supporting the campaign mattered to the band after attending the Street Child World Cup in Mexico City earlier this year.

The group said witnessing the tournament in person allowed them to see talented young players whose determination extended far beyond the football pitch. They described the experience as a reminder of what young people can achieve when given opportunity, encouragement and support.

Street of Dreams was directed by award winning creative duo King She, comprising Radha Ganti and Robert Lopuski. The filmmakers said the story was designed to show how belief can transform a young person's future, using football, music and imagination to create a message of resilience and hope.

The release coincides with the conclusion of the #IAmSomebodyTour, an initiative connected to Street Child United that brought young leaders from the Street Child World Cup to communities across North America. Beckham also recently hosted participants at Inter Miami's Nu Stadium as part of the programme.