The England national football team have been hit by a robbery incident after their training equipment was reportedly stolen ahead of their arrival in Kansas City on Saturday.
The Football Association is currently trying to determine the full extent of the loss after vehicles carrying team equipment to their Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City were broken into.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel and his squad were due to arrive in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon, with the equipment meant to be fully set up before their arrival.
The stolen items are believed to include players’ match boots, official tournament footballs, and key training gear required for pre-match preparations.
Boots belonging to some of the team’s biggest stars, including Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, are among those feared to have been taken.
Other missing equipment reportedly includes training kits, analysis tools, tactical whiteboards, and massage tables that were part of the shipment. The gear was being transported from England’s pre-camp in West Palm Beach to their World Cup base in Missouri when the break-in occurred.
Kansas City Police have confirmed an investigation is underway, with reports indicating that arrests have already been made in connection with the incident. A police spokesperson said: “We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening. The investigation is ongoing.”
The incident could disrupt England’s preparations for their World Cup opener against Croatia, although the team is still expected to hold their first full training session on Sunday.
