EXCLUSIVE: Former WAG Danielle Lloyd opens up about life married to a footballer and what the World Cup wags will be going through10:59, 09 Jun 2026With the World Cup kicking off, the England squad’s wives and girlfriends, famously known as WAGs, will be jetting to the US to support their men.‌And Danielle Lloyd knows first-hand the pressures of being a footballer’s wife.‌The 42-year-old was married to former Tottenham Hotspur player Jamie O’Hara for two years from 2012 to 2014. Before that, she had relationships with strikers Teddy Sheringham and Jermain Defoe.‌These days, Danielle, who shares sons Archie, 15, Harry, 14, and George, 12, with ex Jamie, is happily married to electrician Michael O’Neill, with whom she has eight-year-old Ronnie, and her first daughter, Autumn, four.She’s looking forward to cheering on the Three Lions with her footy-obsessed family this summer, and takes time to reflect on her WAG days…‌Hi, Danielle! How will the WAGs be feeling in the run-up to the World Cup?They’ll be really excited – but it’s nerve-wracking at the same time.Is it hard being pictured all the time when your partner is playing a big match?‌In general, it’s difficult being pictured. It’s a lot of pressure having to look nice all the time. You have to think about what you’re saying and what you’re doing, because you’re representing the country. The attention is taken off the pitch and on to the girls.Is there a lot of scrutiny as a WAG? England midfielder Declan Rice’s girlfriend Lauren Fryer received a lot of mean comments about her looks in recent years…I reached out to her at the time and let her know I was thinking of her. She’s such a lovely person – no woman should have to go through that. It’s absolutely disgusting. It’s crazy, because what’s it got to do with the game? They sing songs on the stands and it’s all to rile the actual player.‌Will the girls be worried about what will be said about them?‌I’ve learnt, being in the public eye, you have to have a thick skin, because people aren’t going to like you all the time. You’re going to get comments. I’ve been called a whale, I’ve been called everything.Oh, no! When was this?When I’d just had a baby and I was in a bikini on a beach and someone said, “Look at that washed-up whale.” Now I look back and think, “That really hurt me at that time, it really affected me mentally, but now I’m in such a strong place.” You start to realise that if these people are trying to put others down they have something wrong with themselves. You can’t win – you’re either too fat or too thin. There’s no such thing as perfect in this world, because everyone likes different things. You have to be you, and happy with the way you are.‌Is being a footballer’s wife like you see on the TV? Is it all drama?Not really, no. There’s competition – but it’s not handbags at dawn.Is there a pressure to have expensive designer handbags and sunglasses?‌Back in the day it was like, “Who has the biggest house? Who has the best handbag? The biggest diamond ring?” I look back and cringe!What advice would you give this crop of WAGs?Be confident in your own skin – whatever your shape or size. As you get older you realise material things don’t matter, it’s about making memories. This is going to be an incredible time they’ll all remember – and hopefully we’ll win!‌Do you think there any WAGs from the current squad that could go on and have their own career?I really like Ellie Watkins – [striker] Ollie Watkins’ wife. I know people that know her, and she comes across as really nice. He came from a lower league and made it in the Premiership.‌What’s the hardest thing about being married to a footballer?The downs. There are so many highs and so many lows. When they retire, that’s when the pressure starts because they’ve known nothing else but football. It’s hard for the footballer, but it’s hard on the wife as well.Do you worry about your partner receiving a lot of female attention?‌The girls have to deal with the fact the men get a lot of attention, but a lot of them would have known that from the beginning and it comes with the job. You have to have trust.You’ve had a couple of health scares, including skin cancer, which you had treated last year. How are you doing now?I’ve got to keep an eye on it. It was such a massive shock. It can happen to anyone.‌It must have been scary…It was a really scary time, but my husband was so supportive. The older kids knew what was going on, but the younger kids didn’t. It was scary because when you hear “skin cancer” you automatically think, “Oh, my God, I’m going to die.” It is really treatable, but the actual melanoma was close to the lymph nodes in my neck, so it was dangerous.We’re glad you’re doing well. Finally, you have a big family. Are more kids on the cards?Article continues belowAbsolutely not. I’m done. I’ll have to wait for grandkids now!