England’s preparations for the 2026 World Cup have been thrown into disarray after training equipment was stolen from vehicles at their base in Kansas City.
Two arrests have been made in connection with the incident, according to BBC Sport, as the situation continues to develop.
The theft occurred at the England team’s Swope Soccer Village training base, where vehicles transporting gear to the facility were broken into.
Items including balls and boots are reported to be among the stolen equipment, adding unnecessary disruption ahead of a crucial tournament opener.
Thomas Tuchel and his squad had been hoping for a smooth build-up to their first full training session on Sunday, but those plans have now been complicated.
The incident could prove particularly disruptive to England’s preparations as Tuchel looks to have his players sharp and focused ahead of their opening match.
England face Croatia in Group L on Wednesday, a tricky fixture that demands his squad be in the best possible condition heading into the game.
This latest incident is part of a broader pattern of off-field problems that have followed the 2026 World Cup since its opening stages.
Political unrest, a high-profile referee being sent home, and players from some national teams being treated poorly by border police have all generated significant headlines.
Japan also faced problems with their training base, with ESPN reporting that the team decided to relocate after finding the pitch in poor condition.
The United States has faced growing scrutiny over how it has managed various logistical and organisational aspects of hosting this enormous global tournament.
With thousands of fans travelling from all over the world, questions are now being raised about whether the US was truly prepared for the scale of the event.
England will be hoping to put the distraction firmly behind them and focus entirely on what matters most when they take on Croatia on Wednesday.
