How ‘unbothered’ Victoria Beckham became one of the World Cup’s biggest memes

Name: Victoria Beckham.

Appearance: Supremely unbothered.

Age: Brand new.

Brand new? Victoria Beckham is 52 years old. You’re thinking of Victoria Beckham the fashion designer, Spice Girl and serial documentary subject.

Yes I am. Who are you referring to? Victoria Beckham the meme.

She’s a meme now as well? She certainly is.

And what did she do to earn that distinction? It’s what she didn’t do.

What didn’t she do? Anything.

When? During England’s World Cup quarter-final match against Norway.

What was she supposed to do? Take a penalty? Let me set the scene: on a hot night in Miami, a goal by Andreas Schjelderup has given Norway an early lead …

I’m aware. And as the first half draws to a close, England are in disarray, until Jude Bellingham scores a screamer in stoppage time, sending beer flying out of plastic pint glasses across the nation.

And Victoria? Victoria just sat there, as if nothing at all had happened.

Wasn’t she watching? She was in the stands with her husband, David, who was out of his seat going wild with excitement, as were three of their children, Romeo, Cruz and Harper.

Perhaps her view was obscured by a pillar. They were very good seats.

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Maybe she didn’t understand the implications. A possibility – while Victoria has regularly attended football matches since she first met David in 1997, she has never given the impression that she is entirely at home with the rules.

Or she might have been thinking about what she was going to have for tea later. Whatever the reason, her response – no response – was in striking contrast to everyone around her. Hence the meme. Screenshots of her reaction have spread virally across social media, accompanied by snarky captions. “People are often critical of Victoria Beckham, but to see this outpouring of emotion here from her as England scores a goal shows her deep connection with both football and the team,” wrote one X user sarcastically, in a particularly viral post.

Are people angry about her seeming lack of passion? On the contrary, it has made her a sort of hero. “Victoria Beckham is the greatest Englishwoman who ever existed, no doubt about it,” wrote one fan.

For staring blankly into space? Nonchalance is certainly a refreshing take on the England team’s haphazard progress through the tournament.

Did Victoria react to becoming a meme at all? No, but her husband did. David later promised that she was “celebrating inside” alongside a crying-laughing emoji.

Do say: “I can assure you I was thrilled with the England team’s performance generally – and Bellingham’s specifically – once I was fully informed of circumstances at a point later in time.”

Don’t say: “Norway were robbed!”