England’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been disrupted after a significant amount of team equipment was reportedly stolen while being transported to the squad’s training base in Kansas City, just days before their opening match of the tournament.
According to multiple reports, the theft occurred as equipment was being moved from England’s pre-World Cup training camp in Florida to Swope Soccer Village in Missouri, where Thomas Tuchel’s squad is scheduled to train ahead of their Group L opener against Croatia.
Items believed to have been stolen include players’ boots, training balls, coaching equipment, and other essential gear needed for training sessions. Some reports also suggested that match-day uniforms and staff equipment may have been among the missing items, although authorities are still determining the full extent of the theft.
The Kansas City Police Department confirmed that an investigation is underway after a team vehicle arrived with equipment missing. Police also revealed that two individuals described as “subjects of interest” had been taken into custody as investigators continue to examine the case.
England’s Football Association acknowledged that an incident had taken place but declined to provide detailed comments due to the ongoing police investigation. Officials are reportedly working closely with local authorities to recover the stolen items or secure replacements in time for the team’s scheduled training activities.
Despite the setback, England’s World Cup campaign is expected to continue as planned. Tuchel’s side, who recently completed a warm-weather training camp in Florida, are due to hold their first full training session in Kansas City before traveling to Dallas for their opening fixture against Croatia.
The incident has created an unexpected distraction for one of the tournament favorites, but with several days remaining before kickoff, team officials remain hopeful that any missing equipment can be replaced quickly and preparations can continue without major disruption.
