While the 2022 World Cup’s actual football is being distracted from in the media by major political issues, the 2006 World Cup’s football was being distracted from by WAG culture in full force.

Here are Cheryl Tweedy and Victoria Beckham supporting their other halves Ashley Cole and David Beckham on the pitch in Germany, 2006.

A tabloid paparazzi’s dream captured on a classic 2000’s camera of undoubtedly Britain’s two most famous women in pop culture.

Just a couple of weeks after this photo was taken, Cheryl and Ashley would be married, in a ceremony that saw Cheryl’s Girls Aloud band mates as her bridesmaids.

As the World Cup 2022 begins (albeit, amongst much controversy), let’s remember the England squad that played in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa - not one of England’s most successful tournaments…

The team were managed by Fabio Capello - there’s a blast from the past, as are some of the faces in the above photo.

Let’s hope 2022’s boys will fair a lot better than these lot. Who was your favourite player in the 2010 World Cup?

90s Damon Albarn + 90s vintage Chelsea kit = perfection

Damon Albarn’s love of Chelsea FC started when he attended his first ever football match - Chelsea v Aston Villa - and has been a season ticket holder ever since. As a Chelsea fan myself, I’d love to get my hands on one of these vintage Chelsea shirts Damon’s wearing in these photos…🔵🔵🔵

The 2006 World Cup was a different time!

The two tabloid power couples of Britain step out together for a photo opportunity (David & Victoria Beckham and Cheryl & Ashley Cole).

Below, Cheryl and Victoria are photographed in the crowd - red and white tops instead of glamorous dresses this time - while supporting David and Ashley on the pitch.

Louis Tomlinson = great style

I love Louis’ new album ‘Faith In The Future’ - I prefer it a lot to ‘Walls’, his 2020 debut - and it got me thinking how much I love his style. These photos show what a great relationship Louis has with sportswear brands, especially Adidas (in 3 out of 4 of these photos), Champion and Kappa - three of my favourite brands too.

I love how this photo just sums up the amazing connection between the experimental pop music of the 2000s and the cool, NME-adored indie-rock scene that ruled British culture - showing that the two styles really weren’t that far apart in a lot of ways. (Nicola Roberts and Sarah Harding of Girls Aloud, Matt Helders and Alex Turner of Arctic Monkeys at the NME Awards)