Free News Reader

England Footballers’ Partners Embrace Influencer Status

Free News Reader  ·  June 18, 2026

AI-generated context summary requested by a Free News Reader user. Sourced via Gemini from publicly available information — no paywalled content was accessed.

You hit a paywall. Here’s the context on this topic based on publicly available information. We did not access any paywalled content. View original article.

England Footballers' Partners Embrace Influencer Status

  • The "WAG" (wives and girlfriends) phenomenon has seen a resurgence, with many partners of England footballers leveraging social media to build significant online followings and personal brands.
  • Figures like Tolami Benson, fiancée of Bukayo Saka, gained considerable attention during the Euro 2024 for her fashion choices and now boasts over 200,000 Instagram followers.

Full Summary — powered by AI

The partners of England footballers are increasingly establishing themselves as influencers and public figures, a notable shift from the “WAG” era of the early 2000s. This resurgence is largely attributed to the rise of social media platforms, which allow these women to curate their own narratives and build personal brands.

During events like Euro 2024 and leading up to the 2026 World Cup, many partners have garnered substantial attention for their style and online presence. For instance, Tolami Benson, engaged to Bukayo Saka, became a prominent figure during Euro 2024, with her custom match-day outfits helping her accumulate over 200,000 followers on Instagram. She also works as a senior planning executive and engages in brand partnerships. Ashlyn Castro, girlfriend of Jude Bellingham, is another influencer with over 600,000 Instagram followers, known for her fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and travel content.

Other notable partners include Dani Dyer, girlfriend of Jarrod Bowen, who was already famous from winning *Love Island* in 2018 and has over 3.7 million Instagram followers. Kate Kane, wife of Harry Kane, has nearly 300,000 Instagram followers and has designed a jewelry collection. Ellie Watkins, wife of Ollie Watkins, and Megan Davison, wife of Jordan Pickford, also work as influencers and content creators, collaborating with various brands.

This modern approach allows WAGs to control their public image, engage with fans, and pursue entrepreneurial ventures, moving beyond simply being known as an athlete’s partner. While some criticism still exists, their influence is