Monday 21 November 2022 04:26 PM The England WAGs: From Saka's girlfriend Tolami Benson to Sterling's partner ... trends now

England's wives and girlfriends proved they were the squad's biggest fans as they stepped out at the Khalifa Stadium to cheer them on - before rushing to celebrate with the team after watching them demolish Iran 6-2.

The Three Lions spectacularly won their opening match of the Qatar World Cup - their strongest ever start to a major tournament on a record-breaking afternoon for England.

Jack Grealish was pictured sharing a cuddle with his girlfriend Sasha Attwood to celebrate the win, while captain Harry Kane was seen hugging his children after the match. 

Far from the usual designer outfits and glitzy pieces which WAGs might be best known, the footballers' partners mostly opted for low-key ensembles for the occasion - wearing shirts with their partner's name emblazoned on the back, which many tucked into comfortable jeans.

Before kick-off, Saka's girlfriend Tolami Benson, 22, appeared in high spirits as she grabbed a seat alongside the player's brother, with both wearing matching England shirts to show their support to the team. 

Wives, girlfriends and family members of the footballers were seen piling into Manchester airport yesterday to catch a short flight to London before hopping on another plane for the seven-hour journey to Qatar. 

This morning, many shared snaps from their new home aboard the MSC World Europa - a luxury cruise liner dubbed a 'floating palace' which is set to host them for the duration of the tournament. The incredible £1billion cruise liner - which usually costs £2,434.80 for nine nights - has set up base at Doha Port ready to accommodate the footballers' families.

Meanwhile Phil Foden's partner Rebecca Cooke was snapped alongside Lauren Fryer, girlfriend of Declan Rice, as they took their place within the stadium. 

Rebecca, who was photographed apparently discussing her seating in the stadium with an official, appeared overjoyed as she spotted Foden come out onto the pitch and threw her arms into the air with joy. 

Before the match, Tolami  22, who is dating Saka, shared a snap online as she posed in an England shirt, while Kennedy Alexa, whose boyfriend is James Maddison, posted a photo of their son wearing a football kit. 

Meanwhile Paige Millan, who is Raheem Sterling's partner, posted a video of their children walking along while wearing shirt's with Sterling across the back. 

She also shared a number of videos showing the cruise ship. Last night, she shared a clip as she apparently boarded, which showed the outside of the enormous boat.

WAGs and player's families arrived on the luxury cruise liner yesterday after jetting off from the UK to support the squad. 

Guests will be living the high life thanks to onboard beauty salons, boutiques, dodgems, 14 ocean-view Jacuzzis and the longest dry-slide at sea titled The Venom Drop to keep them entertained between matches.

But while the WAGs will lap up the luxury of the swanky ship - complete with its very own shopping mall, roller disco rink and a range of clubs for children - it's said that players won't be allowed on board as they are set to form their own strict Covid bubble at the Souq Al Wakra hotel in Doha.

Elsewhere on the cruise liner, a Sportplex zone offers basketball, bumper cars and even a roller disco rink, meaning plenty of opportunities for fun, alongside more than 30 bars and cafes, as well as a micro-brewery and mixology classes in its Elixir gin bar.

An insider previously told the publication: 'The boat is an amazing place to stay. It is like a floating palace, which is why many of the players' wives and families quickly snapped up packages that the Football Association arranged.

'Due to the fact the boat is off shore, guests can have a drink and enjoy themselves without having to worry about falling foul of Qatar's strict rules.

'And many hotels aren't even allowed sunbathing areas. But by staying on the boat guests just relax and have a great time. If England do go all the way it's likely to become like a carnival on board.'

A former Wag who was in Russia for the 2018 World Cup told Mailonline that the women had been swapping messages on Whatsapp with fears over their freedom to meet with the players due to Covid rules and the strict restrictions in Qatar.

She said: 'There are coronavirus rules they have to follow as well as the fact that holding hands and kissing in Qatar is forbidden. 

'The women don't know what to make of it all. One asked me the other night if she could be arrested for posing in her bikini on Instagram.

'Many of the girls also have young babies and children, so we don't think there will be as big a turnout as in recent years.'

In Qatar there are strict alcohol rules, but because the MSC World Europa is 'off-shore', those on board can sip on champagne without fear of legal repercussions.

However the WAGs have been told they should dress modestly if they are out and about in Qatar.

At least three WAGs have turned to personal stylists to ensure they don't cause offence in the strict Islamic nation, with low-cut tops and short skirts strictly banned.

Instead, the wives and girlfriends will enjoy evenings out in linen trouser suits and long dresses, with their arms covered to show respect to local tradition in Doha.

Personal stylist Connie Jones, 31, from Manchester, helped three WAGs design their wardrobes for the tournament - not only for matches, but for evening get togethers and restaurant visits.

Luke Shaw's partner Anouska Santos, John Stones's partner Liv Naylor and Marcus Rashford's fiancée Lucia Loi all sought help ahead of arriving for England's first World Cup match against Iran today, MailOnline has been told.

All three will bring suitcases of designer clothing, make-up and jewellery curated by Ms Jones, who runs the Connie Personal Shopping Company from her studio in Manchester.

Low-cut tops, skimpy tight shorts and revealing skirts have been vetoed.

However, wearing England shirts with the names of their partners - a custom at World Cup matches - has been OKed by those in Doha.

The WAGs have been told their should consider a scarf - with Gucci and Hermes favoured - to wear around their necks so as to not reveal their figures.

A source told MailOnline: 'A lot of planning has gone in preparation for the women.

'Connie leaves nothing to chance and has examined their itinerary and desired outfits which will fit into situations such as visit to restaurants or even when they are in the gym.

'She is highly trusted and thought of by the women and has contacts to source the latest fashions and clothing so that the women look the best.

'This World Cup is very different from the last one in Russia four years ago we are the players wives and girlfriends could show off their bodies and figures in items such as denim shorts and skimpy tops. 

The women know that they are going to be photographed wherever they go and they understand that it helps them on their social media profiles so they have to look the best.

'The last thing they want is to offend anybody in Qatar. They have a lot of self-respect and want to show the same respect to the people there but at the same time enjoy themselves.

'What we are going to see at this World Cup is a new style of WAG. They are going to look amazing everywhere they go.'

Connie has more than 50,000 followers on Instagram and they include Jordan Pickford's wife Megan, Jack Grealish's girlfriend Sasha Attwood, Kieran Trippier's wife Charlotte, Kalvin Phillips' girlfriend Ashleigh Behan and Declan Rice’' partner Lauren Fryer.

England’s VERY glamorous support squad! Ahead of the team’s first World Cup match in Qatar, Femail reveals the WAGS cheering them on - from childhood sweethearts to a model and property developer

England is set for their first match of the World Cup on Monday afternoon against Iran.

And as they take to the pitch in Qatar for the first of their Group B games, Gareth Southgate's team will be supported by a glamorous array of wives and girlfriends.

The squad, for instance, will be cheered on by Jack Grealish's girlfriend Sasha Attwood as well as Harry Maguire's wife Fern Hawkins, and Harry Kane's wife Katie Goodland.

Southgate has not declared whether he will allow the WAGs to meet his team at the Souq Al Wakra hotel in Doha where he will stay with his 26-man squad. 

Here, FEMAIL takes a look at the very glamorous WAGS supporting the footballers... 

MEGAN DAVISON

Married to Jordan Pickford

Megan Davison met Everton ace Jordan Pickford when they were teenagers. The childhood sweethearts have been dating since she was 14 and he was 16 after meeting at school and share a son, Arlo.

The pair went out on their first date to the cinema while he was a pupil at St Robert of Newminster Catholic School in their native Washington, Tyne and Wear.

Megan, now 26, graduated from university in 2019. She had son, Arlo, in February that year, and the couple were married in March 2020 at a register office in Crewe, having had to postpone their lavish Maldives nuptials due to the pandemic.

The ceremony was distinctly understated, with Pickford wearing a baseball cap and ripped jeans, while the bride wore Givenchy studded boots and carried a Dior handbag.

An Instagram star with platinum hair and a love of shopping, Megan has assumed a 'mother hen' status with the other wives.  Ahead of the opening game of the Euros against Croatia, she arranged a pre-match party for them (pictures from which she shared on Instagram.)

She sparked controversy in December last year after sharing a message in support of anti-vax protestors. Megan shared a photo from the so-called Freedom March that sparked chaotic scenes across central London on December 18.

The demonstration, declared a 'major incident' by London mayor Sadiq Khan, was attended by thousands of anti-vaxxers after further restrictions were put in place to slow the spread of new coronavirus variant Omicron.

Davison appeared to show a degree of empathy for the mob by sharing a photo of one protestor holding a placard emblazoned with the message: 'Even if you're not conspiracy minded, something in your soul has to say…something is wrong.'

The photo was posted without additional comment from the mother-of-one, and is no longer present on her Instagram account.

CHARLOTTE TRIPPIER 

Married to Kieran Trippier 

Newcastle defender Kieran Trippier has been married to wife Charlotte since June 2016 and they have three children.

Charlotte, 31, delves into the fashion world with her sibling Rosie and they blog as 'The Style Sisters.'

The couple have a son Jacob, a daughter Esme Rose and welcomed a third child this summer in June.

In an interview with MailOnline, his proud father Chris said his son should be given the Freedom of Bury, the town where he grew up, for his efforts to bring England silverware. 

FERN HAWKINS 

Married to Harry Maguire

Manchester United defender Harry Maguire is married to Fern Hawkins and they have two daughters.

Fern, who describes herself to her 100,000 Instagram followers as 'mommy and wife' is not shy of posting pictures of herself on glamorous nights out and with her husband.

The Sheffield beauty, a First Class Graduate in physiotherapy, regularly posts photos of her amazing physique in bikini shots on social media.

Clearly besotted with each other, the couple are frequently seeing enjoying romantic holidays, with Fern sharing snaps from sun-drenched villas and sojourns to Paris.

The 27-year-old science and physiotherapy graduate first met Harry when he was 18 and playing for Sheffield United's youth team.

She joined Harry's family in supporting him at the last World Cup in Russia and publicly hugged and consoled him after England were knocked out in the semi-final by Croatia.

ANNIE KILNER 

Married to Kyle Walker