Artist Cold War Steve Creates Surreal England Team-Building Scene
Satirical artist Cold War Steve has unveiled a new illustration depicting the England national football team at a haunted team-building barbecue, blending the squad's World Cup preparations with his signature dystopian political commentary.
The artwork, titled "The Haunted Team-Building Barbecue," shows manager Gareth Southgate and players including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Bukayo Saka gathered around a grill, while ghostly figures from England's footballing past—such as Bobby Moore and Geoff Hurst—lurk in the background. The scene is set against a bleak, post-apocalyptic English landscape, with crumbling tower blocks and burning bins.
Satirical Take on England's World Cup Hopes
Cold War Steve, known for his collage-style art that critiques British society and politics, said the piece reflects the pressure on the current squad to exorcise the ghosts of past failures. "The England team is haunted by its own history—every tournament, they carry the weight of 1966 and the near-misses since," he told the Guardian. "The barbecue is a mundane setting for such existential dread."
The illustration includes references to recent political scandals, with former prime ministers Boris Johnson and Liz Truss appearing as burnt sausages on the grill. A plane trailing a banner reads "It's Coming Home?" with a question mark, underscoring the nation's cautious optimism.
Blending Football and Politics
This is not the first time Cold War Steve has turned his lens on football. His previous works have depicted Premier League clubs as sinking ships and the FA as a cabal of zombies. The artist said the England team is a rich subject because it "sits at the intersection of national pride, media frenzy, and political metaphor."
The artwork was released ahead of England's opening World Cup match against Iran. It has been shared widely on social media, with fans praising its dark humor and pointed commentary on the state of the nation.
