Gareth Southgate has not ruled out banning the Three Lions’ wives and girlfriends from their Qatar World Cup base amid Covid fears.
It could mean England’s WAGS including Raheem Sterling’s partner Paige Milian and Harry Maguire’s wife Fern Hawkins will have to stay home next month as their other halves fly out for a lonely tournament.
Manager Southgate is in regular contact with senior players about the best approach to take.
He said: “There is that decision about how much risk do you want to take?”
“If you lose a player or two, for them that may be their only opportunity to play at the World Cup.
“I’m sure their families will realise that as well.”
It comes after the Lionesses were parted from their loved ones for the whole of this summer’s triumphant Euro 2022 campaign. England officials are closely monitoring any changes in infection levels and Covid rules in Qatar.
However, Southgate is also concerned that being locked up together for five weeks with little to occupy their minds could also be bad for the team.
He added: “We’d have a preference that families can engage. That’s better for everybody. If you’ve got a miserable camp, that also can have a negative effect on performance.”
The Mirror can reveal that if England’s WAGS do make it to Qatar they have been given advice on dressing modestly.
The Mirror understands some were planning to respect local customs by packing an abaya – the traditional long garment worn by women in Arab countries that covers everything except the head, hands and feet.
A source said: “The England players have been given advice on what sort of outfits their partners should wear to respect the customs in Qatar.
“They were recommended not to wear anything too short or skimpy or revealing. Dresses must be loose, covering shoulders...that kind of thing.
“Some were planning to take an abaya if they ever wanted to venture out into the community.”
Several of the WAGs have already visited Qatar to look at accommodation. They include Katie Goodland, Harry Kane’s wife, who went to the exclusive Banana Island resort.
