Equipment taken from team vehicles during transit to US base camp

England face Costa Rica in an international friendly on June 10. [AFP]
England face Costa Rica in an international friendly on June 10. [AFP]

England's national football team suffered a setback ahead of the 2026 North America World Cup — where they are bidding to win the title for the first time in 60 years — after training equipment was stolen during the squad's move to its US base camp. The stolen items reportedly included players' match gear and analytical equipment, raising concerns about disruptions to England's tournament preparations.

ESPN and other outlets reported Friday, citing Kansas City police in Missouri, that equipment went missing from England team vehicles after they arrived in Kansas City that evening. Police have arrested two suspects and opened an investigation.

England had been preparing for the tournament at a pre-camp in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, before relocating to their base camp in Kansas City on Friday. The team had sent equipment ahead by vehicle, but the theft was discovered when staff unloaded the cargo upon arrival.

Authorities are still working to determine the full extent of what was taken. The Daily Mail reported that the stolen items included players' boots, footballs and training equipment, as well as analytical gear, head coach Thomas Tuchel's whiteboard and massage tables.

England open their Group L campaign against Croatia in Dallas on June 17. They are drawn alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off Friday and runs through July 19 — a 39-day tournament spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada. It marks the first time three nations have co-hosted the World Cup, and the first co-hosted edition since the 2002 Korea-Japan tournament 24 years ago.


balme@heraldcorp.com