The players loved it! Gareth Southgate on England’s World Cup game nights
Former England manager Gareth Southgate revealed that his team found a unique way to unwind during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Between training sessions and matches, the squad played their own version of the hit BBC show The Traitors.
A twist on the BBC show
In the original program, players are secretly divided into two groups — the Faithfuls and the Traitors. The Traitors attempt to “eliminate” the Faithfuls under cover of night while the Faithfuls try to expose them before it’s too late. The England squad adapted this format into a card game they called Wolves and Villagers.
A special guest appearance
During the tournament, global music star Robbie Williams surprised the team with an impromptu visit and performance at their hotel. He was in Doha for a show and joined the squad to lift morale before their crucial quarter-final against France.
“He serenaded the players by the pool with some of his hits,” Southgate shared, adding that the squad “were delighted by his presence.”
According to Southgate, Williams didn’t just perform — he also joined the team in their card game, jokingly calling Harry Kane a “werewolf.” The lighthearted evening became one of the team’s standout memories from Qatar.
Summary
At the 2022 Qatar World Cup, England’s players bonded over a homemade version of The Traitors, with Robbie Williams joining their game night and uplifting morale through music and humor.