The term 'WAGs' was coined by the Mirror's 3am girls before the 2006 World Cup in Germany, referring to the wives and girlfriends of the England football team. While David Beckham and his teammates were knocked out on penalties, the WAGs stole the spotlight with their partying in Baden-Baden, a quiet spa town in Germany's Black Forest.
Former England captain Rio Ferdinand later described the scene as 'an absolute shambles,' with the WAGs becoming 'bigger superstars than the players.' The group, including Coleen Rooney, Alex Curran, Victoria Beckham, and Cheryl Cole, frequented wine bars, clubs, and restaurants, running up large bar bills. One notable night at Garibaldi's restaurant saw Gary Neville's father, Neville Neville, leading a singalong with a replica World Cup trophy after a bill exceeding £3,000.
The chaos extended to the media, with one tabloid journalist thrown into a nearby river. Alex Curran joked about her 'star rating' in a newspaper, saying she was 'at least an eight.' The Mirror's coverage highlighted the surreal mix of pop stars and football icons, with headlines like 'Neville Neville in Baden-Baden.'
In contrast, modern England managers Gareth Southgate and Thomas Tuchel have fostered a family-friendly environment, with players' relatives visiting during tournaments. The new generation of WAGs includes influencers, interior designers, and models, many with degrees in public relations or sports management. As the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada approaches, families are already planning to share accommodation in Kansas City to support the squad.
