World Cup WAGs 2026: Everything you need to know about football’s most famous couples

Football fever has well and truly taken over, and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in full swing, all eyes are on the beautiful game. But while fans debate tactics and tournament predictions, there’s another group commanding just as much attention – the WAGs.

The wives and girlfriends of the world’s top footballers have long been a fixture of World Cup culture, and this year is no different. Equal parts glamorous and accomplished, many of these women have carved out impressive careers and followings in their own right. 

That being said, whether you’re a die-hard football fan or simply here for the off-pitch drama, we’ve rounded up the most talked-about WAGs of the 2026 World Cup. 

Lionel Messi and Antonela Roccuzzo

Messi and Antonela’s love story is nothing short of a fairytale. The two first met as children in their hometown of Rosario, Argentina, when Messi was just nine years old. He was introduced to her through his childhood friend and youth teammate Lucas Scaglia, who happens to be Antonela’s cousin. The pair grew apart when Messi moved to Spain at 13 to join FC Barcelona’s youth academy, but fate brought them back together after Antonela tragically lost her best friend in a car accident — and Messi flew back to be by her side. Their bond deepened from that moment, and the couple eventually wed on June 30, 2017. Today, Antonela is a model, businesswoman, and social media influencer with a following of over 39 million on Instagram.

Kylian Mbappé and Ester Expósito

By Ester Expósito’s own admission, it was love at first sight. According to Times of India, the Spanish actress revealed that when she first met Kylian Mbappé, she had no idea who he was, but she was simply drawn to him naturally. It was only as they got to know each other that she realised she had fallen for one of the biggest footballers in the world. Expósito is best known for her breakout role as Carla Rosón Caleruega in the hit Netflix teen drama Elite, and has since built a formidable career as both an actress and model.

Georgina Rodríguez and Cristiano Ronaldo

When Cristiano put that ring on Georgina’s finger, the internet had a collective moment and understandably so, given the size of the diamond. The two began dating in 2017, and while they haven’t formally married, they have built a life together that includes five children and a home in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Ronaldo plays for Al-Nassr. Georgina is an Argentine-Spanish model, media personality, and businesswoman who has become a star in her own right, thanks in no small part to her hit Netflix docuseries I Am Georgina.

Tolami Benson and Bukayo Saka

Not much is known about how Tolami Benson and England star Bukayo Saka first met, but the two have been together since 2020. After more than five years as a couple, Saka got down on one knee and proposed, and Tolami made the announcement in the most adorable way, sharing the news on Instagram with the caption: “MY FIANCÉE, MY NUMBER 7.”

Thibaut Courtois and Mishel Gerzig 

This love story started in the DMs. Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois first came across Mishel Gerzig on Instagram in early 2021, after stumbling upon a photo of her with her pet dog. Charmed, he slid into her messages and struck up a conversation about Israel and her military service, and the rest, as they say, is history. The couple wed in a private ceremony in Cannes, France, in June 2023. Mishel is an international fashion model, businesswoman, and singer.

Erling Haaland and Isabel Haugseng Johansen

Erling Haaland and Isabel Haugseng Johansen go way back. The two grew up together in the Norwegian town of Bryne and even played for the same youth academy at Bryne FK. But here’s the fun part: it was actually Isabel who made the first move. She slid into Haaland’s messages while he was playing for Borussia Dortmund, and their childhood connection quickly blossomed into something more. The Manchester City striker and his fellow Norwegian footballer welcomed their first child, a son, in late 2024.

Riyad Mahrez and Taylor Ward

Football royalty runs in Taylor Ward’s blood. The daughter of former Manchester City striker Ashley Ward and Real Housewives of Cheshire star Dawn Ward, Taylor is no stranger to the spotlight. She and Algerian football star Riyad Mahrez crossed paths by chance on a street in Manchester in 2020, and what followed was a whirlwind romance. The couple tied the knot at a stunning ceremony at Lake Como in 2024 and have two children together. Beyond her personal life, Taylor has carved out her own lane as a digital creator, influencer, and entrepreneur — and is the co-founder of jewellery brand ASTALIA.

Neymar Jr. and Bruna Biancardi

Bruna Biancardi and Neymar first connected through mutual friends at a glamorous event in Brazil, before making their relationship public during a yacht trip in Ibiza in the summer of 2021. The couple are not married but share two children together — daughter Mavie, born in October 2023, and their second child Mel, born in July 2025. Bruna is a fashion and lifestyle model and influencer who has made her mark in the luxury space, having fronted campaigns for the likes of Louis Vuitton, Off-White, and Balmain.