The wives and companions of the English players, the WAGs, in the stands, in June 2006.PA Images
Be careful, nostalgia ahead! Long before Instagram, TikTok and the era where celebrities could control their image, there were WAGs. Twenty years after their golden age of “Wives and girlfriends”, and with the 2026 World Cup in full swing, it’s time to remember with a touch of nostalgia… mixed with horror.
17.06.2026, 05:2917.06.2026, 05:29
They were almost as talked about as the players of the England team: the WAGs. A true pop culture phenomenon during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the companions of English footballers monopolized the front pages of the tabloids with their shopping sessions, their luxury outfits and their evenings in Baden-Baden.
Their iconic outfits from the mid-2000s will surely bring back good memories. Watch out, eyes gone!
Victoria Beckham
We naturally start with Victoria Beckham, undoubtedly the most famous and iconic of WAGs, already a global star before her marriage to David Beckham.
Getty Images Europe
Getty Images Europe
Getty Images Europe
image: imago
image: imago
Image: FilmMagic
PA Images
Cheryl Cole
Another essential figure: Cheryl Cole, then married to Ashley Cole. After their divorce in 2010, she pursued a successful career in music and television.
Getty Images Europe
Getty Images Europe
Image: www.imago-images.de
Coleen Rooney
Perhaps the most popular with the general public remains Coleen Rooney, wife of Wayne Rooney. Still married to the former Manchester United star, she recently found the spotlight again thanks to the media soap opera Wagatha Christie.
PA Images
Image: www.imago-images.de
Getty Images Europe
PA Images
PA Images
Image: FilmMagic
Image: FilmMagic
Abbey Clancy
Other iconic faces include Abbey Clancy, still married to Peter Crouch.
PA Images
Image: www.imago-images.de
Alex Curran
Not to mention Alex Curran, wife of Steven Gerrard.
Image: www.imago-images.de
PA Images
Getty Images Europe
Image: FilmMagic
Image: FilmMagic
Image: FilmMagic
SO? Do you miss floral tops, skirts/leggings and oversized glasses? Who was your favorite WAG?
Tell us everything in the comments and, above all, have a good World Cup!
(mbr)
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