Ellie Watkins, wife of Aston Villa player Ollie Watkins, shared her experience of a wardrobe malfunction that led to an impromptu bra shopping trip in New York City. Watkins, who had forgotten to pack essential undergarments for a match in Boston, documented her shopping excursion on social media. After flying into New York, she visited a store that appeared to be a flagship location for the lingerie brand Skims, known for its celebrity campaigns.
Watkins also visited the Louis Vuitton store, where Jordan Pickford's wife, Megan, had purchased a World Cup-themed wallet for her husband. The two women later met for lunch. Other wives and girlfriends of England players, including Olivia Stones, Tolami Benson, and Ashlyn Castro, were also in New York. Some of them visited the rooftop lounge Somewhere Nowhere.
The families have opted to stay in New York between matches rather than return to their Florida base, due to the tight tournament schedule. This decision allows them to be closer to the team as it progresses through the World Cup.
The England squad is facing a demanding schedule with potentially four games in 14 days. Following their match on Friday at MetLife Stadium, the team faces a period with minimal rest days. Manager Thomas Tuchel had previously granted players a day and a half off after a win against Croatia, acknowledging it might be their last significant break for some time.
Players have been engaged in recovery sessions, training, and occasional public appearances, such as signing autographs for fans during bike rides. However, Ollie Watkins recounted a minor social misstep, wearing a Dallas Cowboys jersey in Kansas City, which drew a comment from a local resident about team allegiances.