Price was also asked what she would say if she entered the England dressing room at half-time. Her answer was hardly tactical: “Oi oi! Oi oi boys, get them legs out!”
When football advice was suggested, she doubled down with another playful remark: “Vocês também podem tirar as camisas”.
There is no indication that Thomas Tuchel or his players were seeking celebrity motivation. Their attention will be on the familiar demands of tournament football: defensive organisation, an effective press and control of the midfield. Yet the comments underline how quickly a major England match can become part of the wider entertainment conversation.
Celebrity interest has long surrounded England at major tournaments. The WAGs era made players’ personal lives and social circles a major part of the coverage, while every new competition brings fresh attempts to connect the team with popular culture.
Price’s remarks take that tradition in a particularly extravagant direction. They are not a tactical intervention or a serious prediction, but they have created an extra layer of noise before the ball is kicked.
For England, the real response must come on the pitch. A win over the DR Congo would move Tuchel’s side closer to the knockout rounds and ensure that the football, rather than the surrounding celebrity theatre, remains the main story. The next storyline to watch is whether the players can deliver the result that inspired Price’s unusual promise.