What is SkyJo? The card game being played in the England camp

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. The card game being played in the England campImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The England players have been in the USA for the World Cup since 1 June - moving to their base camp a fortnight agoByAlex Howell England reporter in Kansas CityPublished35 minutes agoAs 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 show The Traitors.

The Details

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 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.

What Experts Say

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.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.