As England try to get their game right on the pitch, the games they play off the field are performing a key role in team bonding.
While the focus during the World Cup group stage has been all about Croatia, Ghana and Panama, the players’ downtime has been spent on Wolf, SkyJo and Imposter.
England’s players are getting into their leisure time games to strengthen team bonding – which could be crucial if they are to go far at this tournament.
The squad are two weeks into their stay at their World Cup basecamp in Kansas City. They could be there for another three weeks if they reach the final – which is why keeping themselves entertained away from the training pitch is so important.
At previous tournaments, the players have played Wolf, a game similar to the BBC show The Traitors.
When they played it during their downtime in the build-up to the Euro 2024 final against Spain, the squad received a message from Traitors presenter Claudia Winkleman.
Wolf is on England’s games menu during this World Cup too – but SkyJo and Imposter are new additions to ensure the players are entertained when not on the training pitch under the watchful eye of Thomas Tuchel and his staff.
Morgan Rogers told BBC Sport that the players have taken to SkyJo – a numbers-based card game with the focus on scoring low – after Jude Bellingham brought it into the camp.
“A few of us yesterday when we rode our bikes to a coffee shop, played cards,” Rogers said.
“Jude bought it, it’s a bit of a different one. I’ve never seen it before, but we’re addicted at the moment.”
Aston Villa forward Rogers was happy to talk about the game he played with Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Dan Burn, Anthony Gordon and Elliot Anderson – not least because he won.
In the game, players collect and exchange cards until someone goes over 100 points – at which stage the player with the lowest score is the winner.
It is all part of trying to ensure the players are in the best frame of mind to tackle the serious business of chasing World Cup success.
England’s staff have put a few personal touches in the players’ rooms – including pictures of family members, – as well as ensuring the squad have been able to make the most of their non-football time in the USA.
For instance, Tuchel, along with captain Harry Kane, Djed Spence and defender Burn, went to Sporting KC, the baseball team whose ground is near their base camp.
Burn and Kane, meanwhile, have also been to see country artist Ella Langley in concert.
Tuchel has put an emphasis on creating a club atmosphere when the Three Lions join up – and Brentford midfielder Henderson added some extra insight into how the squad is bonding by playing games on the way to training.
He said they have been getting involved in a game called Imposter, where everyone is sent a secret word via an app – except for one player. The task then is for the other players to work out who is in the dark.
Henderson is playing a key role in building squad morale – with Rogers saying that he and the former Liverpool midfielder have formed a tight-knit group with Bellingham.
“He’s looking after us while me and Jude are squabbling with each other,” Rogers said.
“We call him unc [uncle] at the moment, which he’s not happy about at all.”
Rogers is competing for the number 10 starting spot that Bellingham has had for England at the World Cup so far.
The pair have known each other since childhood, having both grown up in the West Midlands.
“I wish it wasn’t a rivalry, if I’m honest,” Rogers said when asked what it is like battling for a spot in the team with his friend.
“Yeah, we’re really close. We spend pretty much all the time together, in the free time and stuff.
“And it’s one of those things. I know we play in similar positions. I think we actually can play with each other.
“So I don’t think it’s necessarily me v him. I think yeah, we play in similar positions, but I thought he can also play in different positions, so can I.
“And if and when required, I think we can do that to the best of our ability. So we’ll see how the tournament keeps progressing and developing.”
