The term Wag may be all mainstream now. But it was originally coined to describe the partners of English soccer players and came to prominence at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. This is where the wives and girlfriends of these superstars because as scrutinized off the field, as their men are scrutinized on it.

So it’s almost fitting that we take the term back to its roots. Here we explore the WAG, from those of older footballers who were there when the term was coined to the modern-day player, who never knew there was a time when their partner wasn’t being scrutinized.

Phil Foden & Rebecca Cooke

Phil Foden has made a mercurial rise in his soccer career. He made his debut as a 17-year-old in 2017 and has since staked his claim in the Manchester City starting lineup, making more and more appearances as the seasons have passed. He also made it into the England national team and was featured at Euro 2020.

Things have been going equally steady with Foden and his childhood sweetheart Rebecca Cooke. Both lead pretty private lives, but it’s known that they share a son and that in 2021 he announced that Cooke is pregnant with another baby.