England players embraced their children and received emotional Father's Day messages after their victory over Croatia in the World Cup. The team had a day off on Friday, allowing them to relax and catch up with wives, girlfriends, and family members who traveled to the United States to support them.
Family Messages Arranged by FA
The Football Association arranged for loved ones to leave messages for the players at the team hotel, the Inn at Meadowbrook in Prairie Village, Kansas City. Tottenham defender Djed Spence revealed that a "little box" was waiting for each player at their headquarters. The boxes contained cards, photos, and video messages from their children, timed for Father's Day.
Spence said: "When we came in, there was a little box of messages from our families. The FA had organized it so the messages were there for us. I did not shed a tear when we got them, but I have before."
Players Share Their Experiences
Newcastle United star Dan Burn, 34, told how his wife Roz and their children Indi and Ari were enjoying a "dream trip" as they combined the World Cup with a holiday in the US. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford met his wife Megan after the 4-2 victory over Croatia, and their son Arlo, seven, was reunited with his father after watching the game. The couple also have daughters Ostara, two, and one-year-old Misty.
Pickford, who plays for Everton, said: "The FA put a lot of hard work in behind the scenes that a lot of the media, the fans, and the people at home don't see. I've got to give massive credit to that because it makes it feel like home. Even just little things like the family box, which was obviously from my wife, Megan, and the kids. What was in mine? Haribos! Some nice bits, some photos, and some cards."
Fellow goalkeeper James Trafford received a Lego toy tractor from his wife because he grew up on a family farm in Cumbria and can drive a tractor.
Lost Luggage Drama
Megan Pickford, 30, shared her luggage woes online, posting: "Arrived in America yesterday… my suitcase did not. Can I wear my seven-year-old's top for the game tonight or not?" She later updated: "Just flew next destination. Jordan's brother stayed in Dallas to collect my suitcase, which was arriving this afternoon. He had a flight booked later this evening. I brought his suitcase with me on my flight. When he went to collect my case, they said they have to hold it in customs for 24 hours. He's now waiting in Dallas for my suitcase to clear, and the next flight is Saturday. And I now have his suitcase, so he can't brush his teeth."
She ended with laughing emojis and captioned it: "For the invested huns." One follower replied: "You couldn't make it up, but on the flip side, I can't wait to see your next outfit. PS make sure you buy spare toothbrushes and pack them in hand luggage." Megan added: "I'm waiting for Ant and Dec to jump out and tell me it's a prank."
Other Family Moments
Jordan Henderson, who celebrated his 36th birthday last week, is a father of three. Anthony Gordon recently became a first-time dad with his partner Annie Keating. Autograph hunter Eli Beckman, 14, waited six hours outside the team hotel to get signatures from Gordon, Reece James, and Dean Henderson, who was with his family. His mother, Kenzie Davis, drove back from Dallas after watching England—an eight-hour drive.
Interior designer Ellie Alderson and striker Ollie Watkins, 30, have two children. Tolami Benson, who graduated in media and public relations, watched the opener and is believed to be in Kansas to see fiancé Bukayo Saka before flying to Boston for the game against Ghana on Tuesday.
