The most stunning sight on the sidelines of the 2026 World Cup! Players’ fiery partners steal the spotlight
For the first time this year, WAGs are officially allowed to travel to the U.S. early!
Key highlights
- For the first time this year, England’s national team has allowed WAGs to travel to the United States early, once again putting them in the World Cup spotlight.
- WAGs culture, short for “Wives and Girlfriends,” quickly drew attention during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, when the England squad’s partners, led by Victoria Beckham, frequently made headlines.
- From footballers’ partners to fashion figures, actors, singers, and entrepreneurs, a new generation of WAGs is gradually creating a space of its own.
When people think of the World Cup, they don’t just follow the wins, losses, and goals on the field. Players’ love lives are also a source of public fascination! Since WAGs culture emerged at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, footballers’ partners, from Victoria Beckham to Georgina Rodríguez and Antonela Roccuzzo, have remained in the media spotlight. Through fashion, entrepreneurship, social media, and personal-brand development, these women have shown their own appeal and influence in their respective fields, making the World Cup a pop-culture event beyond football. Now that the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is underway, let’s get to know these much-discussed, glamorous footballers’ partners!
Images from / gretty
WAGs allowed to travel to the U.S. early for the first time at the 2026 World Cup
This year, England head coach Thomas Tuchel has eased the national team’s traditionally strict restrictions on players’ families, specifically allowing players’ partners, or WAGs, to travel to the United States early to accompany them. He believes that amid matches spread across North America, high temperatures, and the pressure of intense competition, support from family and partners can help players maintain their mental state and performance. It has also brought this World Cup’s WAGs more attention than before.
When did WAGs culture begin?
“WAGs” is an abbreviation for “Wives And Girlfriends,” a term used specifically for the partners of professional athletes, especially footballers.
While footballers’ partners had long drawn media attention, the moment “WAGs” truly became a global pop-culture phenomenon came at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. England’s star-studded squad included players such as David Beckham and Wayne Rooney, and their highly visible partners also became a focus of media attention, especially Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney. British media extensively covered their outfits, shopping trips, parties, and private lives, with some outlets even saying, “Sometimes WAGs get more coverage than the players.” It was during that World Cup that the British media began using the term “WAGs” extensively, quickly making it a pop-culture term recognized around the world.
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A look at familiar faces and a new generation of footballers’ partners!
Images from ig / @georginagio @antonelaroccuzzo
1. From Gucci sales associate to Netflix star: Georgina Rodríguez
Cristiano Ronaldo’s fiancée
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Georgina Rodríguez is certainly among the most iconic WAGs of the World Cup! She met Cristiano Ronaldo in 2016 while working at a Gucci boutique, a turning point that took her from luxury sales associate to international fashion figure. Her distinctive personal style and social media presence have earned her a large following. Today, she has tens of millions of followers and shares her family life and career through the Netflix documentary “I Am Georgina.”
Lately, she has also built a fashion presence of her own, with every appearance at fashion weeks or red-carpet events generating buzz. After many years with Ronaldo, with whom she shares children, she reportedly accepted his proposal last year, marking a new milestone in their nine-year relationship! From footballer’s partner to fashion figure, Georgina’s story has made her one of the defining figures of modern WAGs culture.
2. Messi’s childhood-sweetheart love story: Antonela Roccuzzo
Lionel Messi’s wife
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Antonela Roccuzzo and Lionel Messi’s relationship is often described as “a fairy tale in the world of football.” They met as children in Rosario, Argentina, and Messi reportedly told a friend with certainty when he was 9, “Antonela will be my girlfriend one day.” Those childhood words eventually came true. After years of long-distance dating and the ups and downs of his career, the pair married in 2017, in a ceremony Argentine media called the “wedding of the century.” Now a mother of three sons, Antonela often shares family life and everyday outfits on social media. Her low-key yet approachable image has also made her one of the world’s most popular footballers’ wives.
3. The Latin pop star with tens of millions of fans: Tini Stoessel
Rodrigo De Paul’s girlfriend
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If you follow Latin pop, Tini Stoessel will be a familiar name. She rose to fame through the Disney Argentina series “Violetta,” successfully transitioning from teen idol to singer and becoming one of Latin America’s most popular young female artists.
Unlike many other WAGs, Tini was already highly recognizable in her own right, so news of her relationship with Argentina international Rodrigo De Paul created more buzz in entertainment coverage than in sports. With her sweet looks and distinctive personal style, she is also a frequent guest at luxury-brand and fashion events!
4. One of Brazil’s most-followed fashion influencers: Bruna Biancardi
Neymar Jr.’s girlfriend
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A well-known Brazilian model and content creator, she has a large Instagram following, and her relationship with Neymar has been a focus of Brazilian media attention for years. Though the pair have gone through breakups, reconciliations, and public scrutiny, they ultimately chose to continue their relationship and welcomed their daughter, Mavie. Beyond her closely watched relationship, Bruna’s style is also popular with many young women. From relaxed island looks on vacation to high-fashion outfits for events, her looks often inspire fans’ outfits. Her naturally relaxed style has also led many to see her as one of Brazil’s new-generation fashion figures.
5. England’s best-dressed WAG: Tolami Benson
Bukayo Saka’s fiancée
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Tolami is certainly one of the most talked-about WAGs in European football over the past two years. A University of Birmingham graduate, she has a background in branding, marketing, and public relations, and has previously worked for several international companies. Her professional image and fashion sense set her apart from the public’s usual perception of footballers’ partners. Although her relationship with England star Bukayo Saka has remained very private, every time they appear together in public, it sparks discussion. During UEFA Euro 2024 in particular, Tolami practically became the focal point in the stands on her own. Her sharp tailoring, luxury accessories, and distinctive jersey looks were widely covered by fashion media, while British outlets dubbed her one of the “best-dressed WAGs.”
Beyond her outfits, Tolami often shares travel, lifestyle, and work on social media, projecting a confident, composed appeal rather than seeking high-profile exposure. For many young women, she is more than Saka’s girlfriend: she represents a new generation of style that combines career and taste. As Saka becomes a key player for England’s national team, attention on Tolami continues to grow, and many outlets expect her to be one of the most watched WAGs at the 2026 World Cup.
6. Fitness influencer and entrepreneur: Agustina Gandolfo
Lautaro Martínez’s wife
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Argentina’s Agustina Gandolfo is a fitness and lifestyle creator as well as an entrepreneur. She often shares her workouts and healthy eating habits on social media, from weight-training routines to dietary habits. Her sunny, health-conscious image has attracted a large following and made her one of Argentina’s most recognizable WAGs.
She met Argentina forward Lautaro Martínez when they were young, and they have supported each other through key stages of their careers. From his time at Inter Milan in Italy to becoming a starting forward for Argentina’s national team, Agustina has rarely missed an important moment, leading many fans to call her Lautaro’s most important supporter. The couple has been together for more than a decade and now has a son and daughter, often sharing warm family moments on social media. Alongside family life, Agustina and Lautaro also run a food-and-beverage business together, showing entrepreneurial strength beyond that of typical footballers’ partners. Rather than a high-profile celebrity lifestyle, her content centers on family, fitness, and healthy living. To many Argentine fans, they are more than a star football couple; they are a model couple balancing love and career.
7. Popular Los Angeles model: Ashlyn Castro
Jude Bellingham’s girlfriend
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Los Angeles-based model and content creator Ashlyn Castro has drawn attention for her laid-back, subtly sexy American style. Since news of her relationship with England’s young star Jude Bellingham emerged, it has been a hot topic in European football. Although they have kept things private and rarely spoken publicly about their relationship, every time they are photographed together, they quickly make entertainment and sports headlines.
Compared with many WAGs who maintain highly visible social media accounts, Ashlyn’s style feels more natural and laid-back. She often shares travel, fashion, and everyday life on Instagram, from beach vacations to city street-style shots, all reflecting a distinct American style and earning her a loyal following. As Bellingham grows into one of world football’s most watched young stars, attention on Ashlyn is also rising. Many outlets see her as one of the most promising representatives of the new generation of WAGs, prompting curiosity over whether she will gradually develop a personal brand of her own, like Georgina.
8. A new Gen Z face drawing attention: Inés García
Lamine Yamal’s girlfriend
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As Spanish prodigy Lamine Yamal rises quickly, Inés García, who has been linked to him romantically, has also begun to draw attention. A Gen Z creator active on TikTok and Instagram, she often shares fashion looks, travel, and everyday life. Her fresh, natural style has earned her a following among younger audiences.
Compared with many WAGs who have already established personal brands, Inés is still at the beginning of her career. This also gives her a lifestyle that feels closer to Gen Z, with everything from her social media content to her outfits reflecting the distinct character of today’s young creators. As Yamal becomes one of world football’s most watched rising stars, their relationship naturally draws attention, gradually making Inés a talked-about figure in new-generation football culture.
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