England players were back in training today after their disappointing nil-nil draw, while their WAGs exercised their credit cards in the malls of Doha.
Both teams could be said to be having a ball, but the WAGs were probably getting bigger kicks in the shops.
Jack Grealish, James Maddison and co were being put through their paces and talking tactics in preparation for facing Wales on Tuesday after their goalless bore against the USA.
Meanwhile it was three up front bagging bargains at Doha’s Al Wakrah souk, with Bukayo Saka ’s girlfriend Tolami Benson, 22, enjoying some retail therapy alongside Jack’s girlfriend Sasha Attwood, 25, and Aaron Ramsdale ’s love, Georgina Irwin, 26.
The trio had earlier been on a morale-boosting visit to their guys at the team hotel with the rest of the squad’s partners, given the all-clear after earlier Covid concerns.
Boss Gareth Southgate granted the surprise get-together after he admitted his side were “down and disappointed” after Friday’s result.
The players had been booed off the pitch by sections of the 8,000-strong England support in the 68,463 crowd inside the Al Bayt stadium.
Other loved ones spotted arriving at the team hotel yesterday included the family of Harry Maguire, who won praise after a commanding display.
Writing on social media, Maguire, 29, said: “Disappointed not to win but still a huge honour to win my 50th cap. Some amazing memories along the way, and hopefully many more to come. Thanks to my families, staff, teammates and fans for your support.”
The England squad’s family have been allocated about 100 seats in the stands. “This must be the biggest-ever travelling party of relatives at a World Cup,” said a Three Lions source.
“No matter what happens on the pitch, they are there for them off it.”
Southgate defended his side, but admitted the performance against the US may not have put a “smile on the face” of fans. He said: “The objective is always to get out of the group and we’ve done that in two games in the past two tournaments. We can’t expect to do that all the time.” England’s right back Kieran Trippier added: “A point was a fair result. Now we have to focus on the battle against Wales.”
