England manager Thomas Tuchel has made an unexpected move by overturning a rule enforced by his predecessor, Gareth Southgate, just days before the 2026 World Cup. He now permits players' wives and girlfriends to enter the squad's training base in West Palm Beach, Florida.
A Shift in Policy
Tuchel's decision marks a significant departure from Southgate's approach. Initially barring partners from the hotel, Tuchel has welcomed them, allowing players to spend time with their loved ones before the tournament kicks off. Reports indicate that Jude Bellingham's girlfriend, Ashlyn Castro, traveled four hours to Tampa for England's warm-up match against New Zealand. Harry Kane's wife, Kate, and Kobbie Mainoo's partner, Layla Roye, have also visited the hotel.
Relaxed Atmosphere
A source told The Sun: "It's very unusual for them to spend so much time with the footballers before the World Cup. But Tuchel wants his pre-tournament camp relaxed before heading to Kansas." Tuchel has also planned downtime for the squad after their 3-0 win over Costa Rica, allowing further time with partners, friends, and family.
Historical Context
During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, players' partners were housed on a luxury cruise ship. Southgate prevented them from featuring in a documentary and held disdain for the term 'WAG'. However, he allowed partners to join players after England's opening win against Iran. At the 2024 European Championships, partners could access the training base after group-stage matches.
Player Reaction
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford welcomed the change, saying: "The tournament doesn't start until June 17. So, this is going to be train hard, get used to the climate, have a bit of freedom, bit of downtime."
Controversy and Fascination
The presence of wives and girlfriends has long been a topic of national fascination. Some fans and pundits have blamed them for England's past defeats, notably the 2006 World Cup in Baden-Baden, where figures like Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney attracted more attention than the players.
