It’s not all wearing your man’s strip and cheering from the stands. Here’s a quick look at what some of the WAGs are getting up to during the summer’s biggest sporting event.
Rebekah Vardy- Jamie Vardy (England)
While attending every game and posting your support on social media might sound like a normal way to support your footballer husband, Rebekah Vardy has a few extra additions to her Russia-bound entourage. As she has taken her four children, two she has with Vardy and two from a previous relationship, there’s more than football to think about.
She has often spoke about how she’s ramped up the security surrounding her family and has had to deflect criticism for taking her children out of school for twelve days during term time. Usually a fineable offence for many English parents, Rebekah has assured critics that there’s a tutor and plenty of homework going with them to Russia. And that Jamie isn’t off the hook with dad duty!
Georgina Rodriguez – Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
Even a 1-0 victory against Morocco paled in comparison when Ronaldo’s girlfriend showed up sporting a huge diamond on her left ring finger. While nothing is confirmed, the rumour mill has been spinning double time since last week’s match. It isn’t the first time this couple has teased the fans with a ring appearing on her finger when she was pregnant with the couple’s daughter last year.
Natalie Delph – Fabian Delph (England)
She’d probably give anything to be in Russia right now, but Natalie Delph is due to give birth right as the group stages come to a close, just two days after England’s last match against Belgium. Speculation whether the midfielder will take time off from football to be at his wife’s side when the time comes has been making its way around the tabloids.
He may not take the trophy home, but Fabian Delph is sure to be the happiest man in the world on July 15th whatever the outcome in Russia.
Antonella Roccuzzo – Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi’s missed penalty is going to be a sore point for Argentinian’s for a while, but he made up for it by scoring the first goal against Nigeria. It was a huge burden lifted for the superstar who has the whole weight of a country on his shoulders. This was also felt by his wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, who was abused for Argentina’s poor performances and blamed because of her absence.
Antonella chose not to travel to Russia for the opening matches this summer because of scheduling conflicts and family commitments. She hit back at those who criticised her decision but has now arrived in St Petersburg to cheer on Argentina.
Bruna Marquezine – Neymar (Brazil)
The world’s most valuable player had to do without his girlfriend for the first few games of the tournament. Bruna Marquezine has been allowed some time off from filming the Brazilian drama, Deus Salve o Rei (God Save the King), to be in Russia with Neymar but it’s only going to be a flying visit. She’s due back on set before the groups finish.
Shakira – Gerard Piqué (Spain)
It feels wrong calling Shakira a WAG when she’s so famous in her own right, but husband Gerard Piqué is currently playing for Spain in Russia. The two met while the singer was filming the ‘Waka Waka’ video for South Africa in 2010. Currently she’s touring Europe with their two children and her social media is full of the family supporting her home country, Colombia, rather than Piqué’s Spain.
The tour has not been all smooth sailing as her fans have complained that her tour merchandise bore a similarity to Nazi imagery. Her label has since pulled the items and apologised.
Pamela Anderson – Adil Rami (France)
Probably the most unusual WAG is having the most unusual time in Russia this summer. While she is supporting France’s Adil Rami, Pamela Anderson is not missing the opportunity to square up to Putin over animal rights issues.
Last week she handed the Russian president a letter, urging him not to hunt and capture whales. Reportedly, the Kremlin is allowing the hunt for “scientific” reasons with rumours that they are planning to sell them to sea parks around the world.
Putin has not yet given a response to Pamela’s letter.