The Socceroos’ dream start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has put Australia’s football stars firmly in the spotlight.
But behind many of the players are partners who have shared the sacrifices, setbacks and triumphs that come with life at the top level of international sport.
From lawyers and musicians to artists, models and aspiring doctors, the women supporting Australia’s squad come from remarkably diverse backgrounds.
Several have followed their partners across continents as football careers have taken them from Australia to Europe and beyond.
Others have stood by their man’s side through serious injuries, family health battles and the uncertainty that often comes with professional sport.
As Australia chases World Cup glory, these are the women cheering loudest from the stands and back at home.
Chloe Gelmi (Mat Ryan)
Perth lawyer and model Chloe Gelmi is expecting her first child with Socceroos captain Mat Ryan later this year
Perth model and lawyer Chloe Gelmi graduated from Curtin University with Law and Commerce degrees before being admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2019. She and Socceroos captain Mat Ryan announced they were expecting their first child in 2025 and later revealed they were having a boy with a football-themed celebration in France. Gelmi began modelling as a teenager and has balanced her legal qualifications with work in the fashion industry. The couple are expecting their first child later this year.
Charlize Mackenzie (Patty Beach)
Country singer Charlize Mackenzie celebrated Patrick Beach’s shock World Cup debut with an emotional social media tribute
Patty Beach shocked the country when he was named as starting goalkeeper in the Socceroo’s World Cup opener against Turkey. His biggest supporter is his partner, Charlize Mackenzie, a country singer who rose to prominence on The Voice Australia in 2023. The couple have been together for two years and regularly share milestones from their relationship on social media. After Beach made his Socceroos debut against Turkey, Mackenzie posted: “Screaming , crying , throwing up , so incredibly proud of my boy”. She later added: “I know right so proud of him , can’t wait to be there with him soon !!!!”
Rose Behich (Aziz Behich)
Rose Behich will watch her husband’s third World Cup after overcoming lymphoma and reaching remission following treatment
Rose will be in the stands for her husband Aziz Behich’s third World Cup after overcoming lymphoma, which was diagnosed shortly after the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The Melbourne-based mother underwent chemotherapy and is now in remission, a journey Aziz has described as putting football into perspective. Speaking ahead of Australia’s clash with Turkey, Behich said his wife continued to support his career throughout her treatment and ‘made sure I was playing my football’ despite her own battle. Rose has attended every World Cup of Aziz’s international career, with the Socceroos veteran saying he was ‘forever grateful’ to have her by his side in Canada.
Tanaya Baker (Jordy Bos)
Tanaya Baker travelled to Vancouver to support Jordan Bos as he made his World Cup debut for Australia
Tanaya Baker has been one of Jordan Bos’ biggest supporters throughout his rise in European football, with the couple getting together more than two years ago and living together in Rotterdam. The pair have travelled extensively during that time, sharing trips to destinations including Paris and Mallorca. Baker was in Vancouver to watch Bos make his World Cup debut for Australia against Türkiye, where he impressed at left-back with a composed defensive display and a crucial block. Her support came after a standout season for Bos at Feyenoord, where he scored four goals and provided seven assists in 28 appearances.
Aimée Grindley (Jacob Italiano)
Human resources professional Aimée Grindley became engaged to Jacob Italiano during a romantic Tuscany proposal in 2025
Aimée Grindley has been a constant presence throughout Jacob Italiano’s football journey, with the couple dating for several years before becoming engaged during a romantic trip to Tuscany in 2025. Their relationship became public knowledge when Italiano’s Grazer AK teammate Leon Klassen jokingly asked him on a Socceroos vodcast whether he missed his dog or his girlfriend more, prompting the immediate reply: “My girlfriend.” Away from football, Grindley has built a professional career in human resources, working as a Human Resources Intern with Imdex Limited since 2022 after previous roles in healthcare, retail and fashion. She was among the proud supporters following Italiano’s rise to the Socceroos and his continued success in European football.
Aleksandra Degenek (Milos Degenek)
Model and medical student Aleksandra Degenek balances family life while supporting her husband across multiple countries
Aleksandra was born in Serbia and has built a career in both modelling and medicine while raising a young family. The wife of Socceroos defender Miloš Degenek is studying to become a doctor and has balanced her university commitments with modelling work and motherhood. The couple share two children and have spent much of their married life moving between countries as Degenek’s football career has taken him across Europe, the Middle East and Australia. Away from her studies, Aleksandra has documented family life and overseas travels, including trips to destinations such as Miami and Dubai.
Jemilla Pir (Jackson Irvine)
Tattoo artist Jemilla Pir shares a creative life with Jackson Irvine and regularly contributes to his distinctive image
Jemilla is a Yorkshire-born tattoo artist and illustrator who has built a following for her distinctive artwork while living in Germany with husband Jackson Irvine. The couple married in Copenhagen in 2024 after Irvine famously forgot his passport and was forced to postpone their registry appointment by a day. Pir regularly creates artwork, tattoos and even piercings for the Socceroos midfielder, with the pair embracing a creative, alternative lifestyle that stands apart from the traditional football WAG image. Based in Hamburg during Irvine’s time with FC St. Pauli, she has become a familiar figure among the club’s passionate fan base and was by his side when the team secured promotion to the Bundesliga.
Jodi Ogilvie (Harry Souttar)
Jodi Ogilvie stood by Harry Souttar during his long injury recovery before the couple became engaged in 2025
Jodi and Harry announced their engagement in September 2025 after several years together. The couple generally keep their relationship out of the spotlight but have shared major life milestones through social media, including their engagement news. Ogilvie was a constant presence during Souttar’s lengthy recovery from the Achilles injury that sidelined him for much of 2023 and 2024, with the defender eventually working his way back into the Socceroos squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their engagement came as Souttar returned to full fitness and resumed his place as one of Australia’s most important defenders.
Laura Friese (Mathew Leckie)
Laura Friese has supported Mathew Leckie throughout his international career and multiple FIFA World Cup campaigns
Laura has been by Mathew Leckie’s side throughout much of his football career, with the couple beginning their relationship in November 2011 before marrying on May 28, 2016. Born in 1991, Laura speaks both German and English and supported Leckie during his years playing in Germany before the family returned to Australia. The couple have three children together, a Henry and two daughters, and have built their family life around Leckie’s globe-trotting football career. Laura has been a familiar presence at major tournaments, cheering on the Socceroos star across multiple FIFA World Cup campaigns and throughout his club career with Melbourne City and abroad.
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