Germany's players invited their wives and girlfriends to the plush hotel resort where they are staying for the World Cup after their draw with Spain on Sunday, according to reports.
The WAGs were allowed to stay for two nights before leaving the isolated Zulal Wellness Resort, German newspaper Bild reported, as the squad prepares for their crunch final Group E clash against Costa Rica on Thursday.
Several of the players' partners were in the stands for the 1-1 draw against Spain at the Al Bayt Stadium, including Sophia Weber, the girlfriend of Kai Havertz, and goalkeeper Kevin Trapp's fiancee Izabel Goulart.
Others in attendance included Christina Ginter, the wife of Matthias Ginter who showed off her goosebumps as she complained that stadiums at the World Cup, which are air-conditioned, are too cold.
Their partners made the long trip to the German squad's base for the tournament, located more than 111 kilometres outside of Doha on the northern tip of the gulf country, after the match.
The distance between the resort and the capital was the reason cited by Germany manager Hansi Flick for the refusal to send a player to join him at the pre-match press conference before the Spain game.
It has landed the German FA in hot water with FIFA as it is mandatory for at least one player - as well as the manager - to do the pre-match media duties.
His explanation for travelling solo from their base camp in Qatar's north was the fact he didn't want a key player being subjected to an unnecessary three-hour round trip.
'It's so important that they devote their energy to training,' Flick said.
Relations between the Germans and FIFA are already strained following the gesture they made before their 2-1 defeat by Japan — hands covering their mouths — in response to being prevented from wearing the One Love armband.
Germany face a battle to qualify for the last-16 after taking one point from their opening two matches.
Their 2-1 defeat by Japan followed by the Spain draw has left them in a precarious position and staring down the possibility of a second straight group-stage exit.
Germany will be out if they fail to beat Costa Rica and need results to go their way in the match between Spain and Japan.
If Spain and Japan draw, Germany will qualify if they overcome Costa Rica by two clear goals.
