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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Inside England's World Cup hotels - From WAGs backlash to "boring" camps

In just a few days' time, Gareth Southgate and his 26 England players will fly to Qatar in a bid to win their first World Cup - and major international tournament - since 1966.

Preparation will be key to England's success and the FA have always tried to give their superstars the best possible accommodation to stay in. So far, none of those decisions have resulted in silverware - and Southgate will be hoping the 2022 hotel fits the bill.

Here, Mirror Football takes a look at England's camps for the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups and how they compare to the Souq Al Wakra Hotel - their base for 2022.

Germany - 2006

If there's one thing we can be sure of at this World Cup, it's that England's base won't hit the headlines as much as it did back in 2006. That tournament was supposed to be the one where England's so-called 'Golden Generation' ended a 40-year wait for success.

Blessed with the likes of David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Wayne Rooney, manager Sven-Goran Eriksson was expected to win the World Cup - or, at the very least, come close.

Yet England were knocked out on penalties by Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo's infamous wink in the quarter-finals. An inquiry into their defeat followed, with many critics asking whether the behind-the-scenes antics were appropriate.

England's stunning hotel for the 2006 World Cup (PD- UNKNOWN)

What do you think about England's team hotel for this year's World Cup? Let us know in the comments below!

England's accommodation was lovely. Eriksson's team were based at the Schlosshotel Buhlerhohe - a now-closed luxury hotel based in Bavaria's picturesque Black Forest. It was a good location, as England did not have to travel too far for their group games.

"I'm delighted," said Eriksson when the booking was confirmed in December 2005. "It is so important that we have the right base camp as this will be the players' home and set the atmosphere as we prepare for all of our games.

"We have already identified a training ground five minutes from the hotel... Additionally, we have the beautiful spa town of Baden-Baden only a few miles away which has a marvellous atmosphere with some wonderful restaurants and cafes."

Yet Baden-Baden became a huge problem, as that's where the wives and girlfriends of the players - soon to be known as the "WAGs" - stayed. The headlines were dominated by stories of drunken nights out, expensive hotels and huge shopping bills.

Stories about WAGs were more in demand than those about England superstars. Their presence became a huge distraction and had a big impact on England's 2010 base.

South Africa - 2010

After the fiasco in Baden-Baden, England's new boss Fabio Capello refused to take any risks in South Africa. The Italian picked the Royal Bafokeng in Rustenburg, a five-star hotel that contained a state-of-the-art training campus. England had everything in one place.

Capello also told his players they could only see the WAGs on the day after matches. "We are there to play, not for a holiday," he said in September 2009. "The players will have one day with their family. It will be one day a week, after each game and that is enough."

When asked if there would be a repeat of the Baden-Baden antics, Capello said: "No, absolutely not. Please. If they [the WAGs] do not want to come for the day, then they should stay at home."

Capello's strict policy backfired, as England struggled to get through their group before being humiliated 4-1 by Germany in Bloemfontein. Three Lions players were so bored at their base that Jermain Defoe watched a DVD of Wayne Rooney's wedding!

"When we were in South Africa, I remember one night I was bored, so me and Wayne Rooney sat in his room and watched his whole wedding on DVD," Defoe told ESPN. "It was nice to spend quality time with a team-mate.

"Wayne had something like a flash mob - the waiters were singing, dancing - if I can remember. It was good because he was my strike partner. Yeah, you do get bored but all the teams get bored. It's part and parcel. You can't make excuses."

Brazil - 2014

The Three Lions stayed at the stunning Royal Tulip Hotel in Brazil (Royal Tulip Hotel)

The FA opted for a more exciting base in 2014 and booked Roy Hodgson's side into the Royal Tulip Hotel in Rio de Janeiro. The hotel overlooked the secluded and picturesque Praia de Fora beach and wasn't fair from the Urca military base - the team's training ground.

The busy nightlife of Rio was a far cry from Rustenburg, yet England and the WAGs didn't stay there for too long. They were knocked out of the tournament in the group stage after picking up just a point against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

England's exit probably had more to do with Hodgson's management and his lacklustre players rather than anything else. Hodgson wasn't as much of a disciplinarian as his predecessor but still told his stars not to moan about the accommodation.

"It’s a complete nonsense," said Hodgson when asked about boredom. "It’s one of those silly excuses that people use. You really cannot have that attitude. I don’t think it’s our job to keep the players occupied.

"I think when you sign up for the World Cup you sign up for the World Cup as it’s going to be. You know from May 19, hopefully through to the final, you’re going to be away, you’ll be with another group of players and maybe there will be only one training session a day, so there will be a lot of free time."

But Hodgson did promise to put on activities. "We’ll put on the same as every other team," he added. "There will be leisure activities, they’ll get free time in the afternoon. If they want to have a game of golf, listen to their music or watch a video on TV, they can."

Russia - 2018

England's modest hotel in Russia (Daily Mirror)

After the debacle of 2014, Hodgson's successor Southgate chose a low key venue in Russia. They stayed at the ForRestMix Hotel in the sleepy village of Repino - located not too far away form St Petersburg - and it was modest rather than luxurious.

"People come here looking for total and absolute quiet," an estate agent told The Guardian in 2017. "The young are not interested in buying here. There’s nothing for them to do."

Yet England players still had everything they needed - such as snooker tables, a gym and a swimming pool. They also had cracking Wi-Fi. "The internet has become key to any World Cup environment," insisted former England physio Gary Lewin in 2018.

And Southgate's players seemed to enjoy themselves. Harry Maguire, Jesse Lingard, Jordan Pickford and Kieran Trippier were famously pictured having a race on inflatables in the swimming pool. Team morale was evidently high, as England reached the semi-finals.

Qatar - 2022

It's hoped the World Cup trophy will end up at the Souq Al Wakra Hotel on December 18 (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

The FA have decided to stick by their policy in Russia by staying in another modest hotel in Qatar. The Souq Al Wakra Hotel near Doha has been transformed into a home from home for the Three Lions, with the team's branding decorated across the venue.

The WAGs won't stay near the team hotel - instead opting for a luxury cruise liner - but family photos and mementoes will be on display. Southgate's backroom staff also plan to put on outdoor BBQs and quiz nights, with regular phone calls to loved ones allowed.

Al Wakra's management have installed a new outdoor swimming pool and hired 60 new staff to cater for them. England should have all they need to succeed. "All staff will be supporting England," Aiman Merenciano, the hotel's senior sales manager, told The Mirror.

England won't have to travel too far for their group games against Iran, the United States and Wales, as Qatar is a small country. It's always a risk choosing the right hotel, but Southgate will hope the World Cup trophy will be sitting in the Al Wakra on December 18.

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