The theft occurred when the FA’s logistical team was setting up their new base at the Swope Soccer Village, Kansas City Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images
June 13, 2026 Updated 9:22 am EDT
England have recovered several items of stolen training kit after they were taken from a team vehicle in Kansas City, Missouri.
Sources with knowledge of the team’s situation, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, confirmed that the missing items – mainly footwear – had now been recovered ahead of their World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday.
The theft occurred when the FA’s logistical team was setting up their new base at the Swope Soccer Village, in Kansas City, during the tournament – with the items taken from a van which was still to be unloaded.
Kansas City police confirmed that they were “investigation a possible theft of equipment” and said two suspects had been taken into custody.
“The investigation is ongoing,” the force said in a statement to The Athletic.
Thomas Tuchel’s side spent ten days in Florida in a pre-tournament preparation camp in which they faced New Zealand and Costa Rica, beating both without conceding a goal. After their 3-0 win over the latter, they also played a behind-closed-doors friendly against American second-tier side Miami FC on Thursday, which they won 6-0.
The squad was then given a day off before flying to Kansas City on Saturday.
Argentina and the Netherlands are also based in Kansas City. The World Cup holders will use Sporting KC’s main training facility, while the Dutch will train at the base of NWSL side Kansas City Current.
England kick off their World Cup campaign on Wednesday against Croatia at the Dallas Stadium. Following that, they will play Ghana at Foxborough’s Gillette Stadium on June 23 before rounding off their group against Panama in New York-New Jersey on June 27.
Jun 13, 2026
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