The 2026 World Cup is not only played on the field. While the teams fight for the trophy, another group is also making headlines in the stands and on social media: the wives and girlfriends of the football players, popularly known as WAGs.
What started years ago as a label created by the sports press has transformed into a phenomenon of its own. Many of these women are no longer known solely for their partners; they have built successful careers as entrepreneurs, models, actresses, singers, and influencers with millions of followers around the world.
These are some of the most popular WAGs making headlines during the World Cup:
Georgina Rodríguez, partner of Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal).
Antonela Roccuzzo, wife of Lionel Messi (Argentina).
Tini Stoessel, singer and partner of Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina).
Ester Expósito, Spanish actress romantically linked to Kylian Mbappé (France).
Bruna Biancardi, wife of Neymar Jr. (Brazil).
Agustina Gandolfo, wife of Lautaro Martínez (Argentina).
Mishel Gerzig, Israeli model married to Thibaut Courtois (Belgium).
Mina Bonino, Argentine journalist and partner of Federico Valverde (Uruguay).
Sofía Toache, girlfriend of Edson Álvarez (Mexico).
Inés García, influencer and girlfriend of Lamine Yamal (Spain).
Karin Jiménez, businesswoman and wife of Santiago Arias (Colombia).
Beyond the glamour, the outfits, and the photos from the stadiums, these women have become stars in their own right. Their posts generate millions of interactions and, in many cases, spark nearly as much interest as the action on the field.
Because if there's one thing that has become clear in this World Cup, it's that the WAGs are no longer just there to accompany. They also set trends, dominate social media, and have millions of people hanging on to every one of their appearances.
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