THIS World Cup has beckoned in a whole new era for the WAGs – with hotpants, fake tan and the extravagant shopping sprees of Baden Baden but a distant memory.
So, 20 years after that World Cup, where , Cheryl Cole and co stole the show, what next for players’ wives and girlfriends?
The England WAGs’ Baden Baden reign in 2006 was legendary, including Victoria Beckham, Coleen Rooney (then McLoughlin), Louise Bonsall and Elen Rives Credit: Alamy
Jordan Pickford’s wife Megan Davison ahead of kick-off England v Argentina in Atlanta this week Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The BAG, perhaps – the first boyfriend in the stands.
The Sun’s resident expert reckons it’s only a matter of time before we see the dawn of “BAGs”, with a gay footballer introducing their boyfriend to the fold.
Our Assistant Editor has reported on the footballer team’s families for years, including covering the infamous 2006 World Cup when the term WAG was first coined.
But she told The Sun’s new vodcast, , times are changing.
Harry Kane’s wife Kate is the mother hen of the new WAGs Credit: Instagram @katekanex
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Kim Kardashian after the Monaco Grand Prix at the Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo in June Credit: PA
Clemmie said: “I think we’ve 100 per cent had peak WAG. You know, the WAG is on the decline.
“What I’m really hoping for is a BAG, though. So a boyfriend, or whatever the male partner might be.
“So the first outwardly bi player or the first gay player would be amazing.
“That for me would then level up again and we’d have a whole new era.
“But sadly, I think we are some way off that.”
Showbiz Fix: Uncut is a new weekly show that will see The Sun’s experts look at a hot topic or celebrity icon in real depth.
We will mine our years on the showbiz frontline to reveal the truth behind the headlines and share our take on the biggest pop culture moments.
Clemmie this week discusses the WAG phenomenon, sharing tales of trailing the Baden Baden ladies – , , Cole et al – during the heady 2006 tournament, and beyond.
And Felicity Cross looks at the 2026 cohort – Kate Kane, Megan Pickford and Tolami Benson.
You can watch the full episode on The Sun’s Showbiz Youtube .
Felicity added: “Maybe are changing entirely though.
“When I look at my friends, they’re talking about Formula One, and it’s those wives and girlfriends that they want to be seeing.”
Clemmie said: “There seems to be a shift, doesn’t there?
“So obviously with F1, we’ve got , who’s now entered the fray dating Lewis Hamilton and that adds a whole new international dynamic.
“Formula 1 is hugely glamorous and wealthy and high end, isn’t it? So maybe that is the future of wagging.”
Felicity added: “I don’t know about you, though, but I will always miss the days of the tiny hot pants and the fake tan.”
Clemmie said: “And they walked in these six inch stilettos and wedges. I mean, I’d have broken both ankles and been sent home after day three. It was iconic!”
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Eze Chidiebere Paul
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