England's Wives and Girlfriends (WAGs) are set for their own five-star US tour as they fly out for the World Cup, with the help of a bespoke holiday expert. Many have become close after attending previous tournaments.
Close-Knit Group
Jordan Pickford's wife, Megan, 30, is in regular contact with Harry Maguire's wife Fern, 31. Bukayo Saka's girlfriend Tolami Benson, 26, and Chelsea captain Reece James's partner Mia McClenaghan are likely heading to the US this summer. They are likely to form a group to travel around the US to follow the team and enjoy the sights.
Accommodation and Itinerary
"They are looking at accommodation in Kansas City," a source said. "That would make it easier to see the team during their family visits. But they also want to see the sights and are planning to stay in New York." Attractions offered include a Boston Red Sox game. Jude Bellingham's Dutch model partner Laura Celia Valk is believed to be in touch with the group. Katie Goodland, married to Three Lions captain Harry Kane, is likely to travel with their daughters Ivy, nine, Vivienne, seven, and sons Louis, five, and two-year-old Henry.
Airbnb-style properties in Kansas City are the easiest option for the WAGs so they can see the players on 'family days'. Kane, 32, and the squad are based there for the duration of the tournament. The Wags will move between hotels near the three group game venues in Dallas, Boston and New York/New Jersey. Some of the best hotels have been offered for their itinerary, including the Four Seasons and the Waldorf in New York.
World Cup Prize Money Increase
It comes as World Cup prize money is set to be increased after concerns were raised by some national associations over high operational costs at the tournament. The Press Association and the Guardian reported in February that some European nations were worried they stood to lose money from playing at the tournament in North America, with officials expecting costs to be significantly higher than in Qatar four years ago.
FIFA has led dialogue with national associations around the world on this topic and is now set to increase prize money to competing nations, plus the development funding flowing from the World Cup to all 211 member associations. Discussions around the funding increase are ongoing, but an improved package is set to be approved at a meeting of the FIFA Council in Vancouver on Tuesday.
England's Group Stage Matches
England play Croatia in their opening group game on June 17 in Dallas, kicking off at 9pm UK time. They then face Ghana on June 23 in Boston (9pm UK time). The last group game is against Panama on June 27 in New York-New Jersey (10 p.m. UK time).
