They have proved to be the most controversial aspect of the World Cup, splitting games into four quarters rather than two halves and infuriating millions across the globe. But one man, at least, is rather fond of the hydration break.Step forward, Sir David Beckham. It may be two decades since he graced a World Cup as an England player. But, without kicking a single ball, he is emerging as one of the tournament’s biggest winners.The former England captain is on course to bank £19 million from a flood of television advertising campaigns during the 40-day tournament in the US, the Mail on Sunday can reveal. And the hydration breaks play a vital role.Sir David, 51, has become impossible to avoid for American viewers, popping up in a string of World Cup-themed commercials for household names including Pepsi, McDonald’s, Lay’s crisps, Stella Artois, Home Depot, Bank of America, Verizon and Adidas. During Wednesday’s Scotland versus Brazil game adverts featuring him aired during the pre-game show, during both hydration breaks and at half-time.He was also photographed in his VIP suite in Miami Stadium (for which he helped secure the $1billion financing) swigging from a ‘fishbowl’ of red wine. The image has gone viral, playing its part in boosting Brand Beckham.Professor Patrick Rishe, director of sports business at Washington University, said: ‘He’s earning around $25million from these World Cup ads alone. It’s a mark of his global celebrity, his marketability and the universality of his appeal.’He’s one of the few international sporting stars who can appeal to such a diverse range of brands. He’s a global marketing icon. He’s instantly recognisable, a gentleman and wholesome, yet still with sex appeal.’And, of course, he’s married to a Spice Girl. He’s a safe bet for conservative advertisers.’ Pictured: Sir David Beckham drinking a pint of Stella Artois in an advert for the popular beer brand, which is a sponsor of the 2026 World Cup The ex-England player has also filmed a commercial for Lays crisps, set in the backdrop of a pub as he holds a World Cup football Sir David’s World Cup windfall comes on top of his existing endorsement empire which is estimated to earn him around £19 million a year. He officially became a billionaire earlier this year with Forbes magazine putting the combined net worth of the Beckhams at £1.185billion.With the exception of McDonald’s, his World Cup appearances build on long-standing partnerships.His lifetime Adidas deal, first signed in 2003, has already been worth an estimated £115 million while earlier this year he starred with Hollywood actor Matt Damon in a hugely popular Super Bowl commercial for Stella Artois, playing his long-lost brother.Millions have watched him smash a football off a crossbar before knocking it out of a tree alongside Timothee Chalamet in an Adidas commercial, hitch a ride on a Lay’s delivery truck with Will Ferrell, search for a McDonald’s World Cup collectible cup featuring his own face, build a backyard viewing area with supplies from Home Depot and protecting his glass of Stella Artois from jubilant football fans.Sir David played in the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups before moving to LA Galaxy in 2007 in a transfer credited with transforming the profile of football in America. He became co-owner of Inter Miami in 2014 before helping lure Lionel Messi to Major League Soccer.A spokesman for Sir David said: ‘USA 2026 was always going to be a strong platform for David and his partners.’