'The players loved it!' - Gareth Southgate reveals England played their own version of The Traitors at 2022 World Cup with nation gripped by celebrity show

The Players Loved It!

Gareth Southgate Shares England's Unique World Cup Pastime

Former England manager Gareth Southgate revealed that during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the England squad passed time between matches and training by playing their own version of the popular BBC TV show The Traitors.

About the Game

In The Traitors, contestants are secretly divided into two groups: the "Faithfuls" and the "Traitors." The Traitors aim to covertly "murder" the Faithfuls each night to claim the prize, while the Faithfuls try to identify and eliminate the Traitors before becoming victims themselves.

At the World Cup, England adapted this concept into a game called Wolves and Villagers, which became a team pastime during their downtime.

Robbie Williams' Surprise Visit

During the tournament, superstar singer Robbie Williams visited the England squad at their hotel to lift spirits. Before England's quarter-final match against France, he performed by the pool, entertaining players with some of his hits.

Players were reportedly delighted by his presence during the visit.

Joining the Fun

Southgate confirmed that Robbie Williams joined the players in their card game, humorously calling striker Harry Kane a "werewolf" as part of the gameplay. This spontaneous interaction became a memorable moment for the team.

Summary

England’s squad creatively bonded at the 2022 World Cup by playing a game inspired by The Traitors, boosted by a surprise visit and participation from Robbie Williams.

GOAL — 2025-11-06