The English national team have fallen victims of theft at the United States as boots of their footballers and other training equipment got stolen before their arrival in Kansas City on Saturday.
Vehicles transferring the equipment to the team’s Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City ahead of their Sunday training session for their opening match in the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup were reportedly broken into.
According to the BCC, The Football Association is trying to ascertain the total number of items stolen, with balls and boots among the items feared to taken.
Custom-made match boots belonging to star players like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and others are feared to have been taken.
Alongside the personalized footwear, official tournament match balls and essential tactical training equipment were stripped from the transit vehicles. Reports suggest that almost nothing was left behind, forcing the FA to coordinate immediate replacements.
Thomas Tuchel and his squad are billed to arrive in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon and the equipment was due to be in place beforehand.
Meanwhile, police officers, who are in touch with the FA, were on site on Friday night dealing with the matter.
It is understood two arrests have been made in connection with the episode.
A spokesman for Kansas Police 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 theft could potentially disrupt some of Tuchel’s preparations for their World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday (21:00 BST).
The England players will undertake their first full training day on Sunday.