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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.<\/b><\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
At previous tournaments, the players have played Wolf, a game similar to the BBC show The Traitors.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“A few of us yesterday when we rode our bikes to a coffee shop, played cards,” Rogers said.<\/p>\n
“Jude bought it, it’s a bit of a different one. I’ve never seen it before, but we’re addicted at the moment.”<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Burn and Kane, meanwhile, have also been to see country artist Ella Langley in concert.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“He’s looking after us while me and Jude are squabbling with each other,” Rogers said.<\/p>\n
“We call him unc [uncle] at the moment, which he’s not happy about at all.”<\/p>\n
Rogers is competing for the number 10 starting spot that Bellingham has had for England at the World Cup so far.<\/p>\n
The pair have known each other since childhood, having both grown up in the West Midlands.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“Yeah, we’re really close. We spend pretty much all the time together, in the free time and stuff.<\/p>\n
“And it’s one of those things. I know we play in similar positions. I think we actually can play with each other.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n