The England national football team arrived at their World Cup base in Kansas City on Saturday after reportedly becoming victims of a theft during which training equipment, boots, and footballs were stolen while they were being transported from Florida.
Most of the items had been recovered at the time of publication, with two suspects taken into custody, according to media reports.
Footage shows fans wearing Three Lions and other English club jerseys gathering outside The Inn at Meadowbrook, where the team is staying. Supporters cheered as team coaches arrived, playing music and crowding around the compound.
“I’m from England and live two miles down the road. And here the team’s going to be staying and bring so much attention to the Kansas City area. And just so much hype for the football, or soccer, as they like to call it here,” said one supporter.
England has chosen to base itself in Kansas City alongside other squads, including Argentina, the Netherlands and Algeria, despite not playing any of their group stage matches in the city. They will instead open their campaign in Dallas before travelling to Boston and New Jersey.
Drawn in Group L, England will begin against Croatia before facing Ghana on June 23 and Panama on June 27. The Three Lions’ only major international title dates back to 1966, when they hosted and won the tournament on home soil.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with 48 national teams competing in the expanded tournament.
Source: Viory
