Who Will Cameo in Bend It Like Beckham 2?

_{David Beckham is tipped at 10/11 to appear in the upcoming Bend It Like Beckham sequel, as director Gurinder Chadha teases a nostalgic return with fresh faces. (Image: Maximum Film)}

Bend It Like Beckham became a cult classic film following its 2002 release and a long-awaited sequel is in the works. Director Gurinder Chadha, who was the brains behind the first movie, is busy working on the script for a follow-up film.

She told Deadline, "I’m excited to revisit the original characters and revive the enduring story and build on the legacy we helped to create for the women’s game."

Bend It Like Beckham told the story of 18-year-old Jess Bhamra, who dreams of playing pro football like her idol David Beckham but her Sikh family is against the idea and prefers her to focus on marriage and education. 

Parminder Nagra appeared as the main character, and Keira Knightley played her best pal and Hounslow Harriers FC teammate Jules Paxton and the movie was a huge breakthrough for both actresses.

Since "Bend It Like Beckham" hit the big screen 23 years ago, women's football has also experienced a surge not just in stadiums and on screens, but also in digital entertainment. In fact, even online casinos have embraced the craze with themed games and virtual sports experiences that appeal to fans of the beautiful game.

Chadha was in Switzerland to watch the Lionesses win their second consecutive European Championship trophy just days ago, and she is "honoured" to be a "small part" of the sport's growth thanks to her cult classic film.

Chadha is keen to drop the sequel in 2027, marking 25 years since Bend It Like Beckham's release and it is also the year of the next FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament in Brazil.

Bend It Like Becks 

David Beckham is the 10/11 favourite to make a cameo in Bend It Like Beckham 2. While he was regularly mentioned in the first film and his poster was shown in Jess' bedroom, he didn't make a physical appearance.

David and his wife, Victoria Beckham, were portrayed by lookalikes at the end of the movie when Jess and Jules "spotted" the Beckhams in an airport.

However, Beckham, who is now Sir David Beckham, is more likely to appear in the movie following his retirement from playing the beautiful game.

He has often expressed his support for the Lionesses, saying before they defeated Spain in the Euro 2025 final, "Good luck, girls. We are all behind you, and we know you will give everything for the final."

Beckham's former England teammate Ian Wright is also due a cameo in a Bend It Like Beckham movie.

Chadha was inspired to make the first film after seeing a photograph of ex-Arsenal striker Wright dressed in a Union Jack flag, which sparked the director to think about the "evolving concept of Britishness."

Wright is 6/4 for a Bend It Like Beckham 2 cameo, but he might have to form an orderly line behind some of this year's triumphant Lionesses.

Form A Cameo Queue, Lionesses 

It would make sense for some of the England women's team to feature in the new movie, after the huge impact the first film had on the sport, and Chadha has dropped a massive hint that will be the case.

While chatting to the BBC about the sequel, the filmmaker said members of the England squad would be "queuing up" for guest appearances in the motion picture.

England's penalty heroine Chloe Kelly (Evens) and captain fantastic Leah Williamson (11/10) are the favourites of the Lionesses to appear in the sequel.

_{England stars Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly are among the favourites tipped to appear in Bend It Like Beckham 2. (Image: Sportimage/Alamy Live News)}

Hannah Hampton (5/2) was another penalty shoot-out heroine in the final against Spain, and her impressive saves must have put her in the frame for a cameo.What's more, goals from Alessia Russo (5/1) and Michelle Agyemang (8/1) played huge parts in England winning the tournament.

Chadha is working with US women's team manager Emma Hayes on the sequel, and the former Chelsea boss is just 13/8 to also appear in the movie.

Others who could make an appearance include Prince William (3/1), who was at the Euro 2025 final in Switzerland, and singers Adele (4/1) and the Spice Girls (9/2), who took to social media to share their support for the Lionesses before the match. 

Nagra And Knightley To Team Up Again

As well as potential Bend It Like Beckham 2 cameos, fans of the first film will be eager to know if any of the original stars are returning.

_{Keira Knightley’s character Jules shared many tense moments with her mother in the original Bend It Like Beckham. (Image: Everett Collection Inc / Alamy)}

Chadha has revealed Nagra and Knightley, as well as co-stars Archie Panjabi and Juliet Stevenson and other original cast members, are "aware" a sequel is in development, but they are keen to see a script before signing up for the follow-up film.

But Chadha is clearly confident the Hounslow Harriers players will reunite. She added, "I’m pretty certain that everyone’s going to want to come back. Everything hinges on the script and if the original cast likes it.

"I am working really hard to make sure every character I bring back has a decent arc and scenes."

Knightley and Nagra are 1/3 joint favorites to reprise their roles in the sequel, and Panjabi, who portrayed Jess' older sister Pinky, is just 8/15.

What's more, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who portrayed Hounslow Harriers coach Joe, is a 6/4 shot, and Gary Lineker, who appeared as himself, is 2/1 to return for the second movie.