England's national team arrive for the World Cup soccer tournament in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
The theft of equipment belonging to the England national soccer team is under investigation after items were reportedly stolen during the squad’s relocation from its pre-World Cup training base in Florida to Kansas City, Missouri. Authorities have confirmed that two individuals are in custody in connection with the incident.
The English Football Association acknowledged the theft on Saturday but declined to provide further details due to the ongoing investigation. According to law enforcement officials, the theft occurred sometime Friday night while the team’s equipment was being transported across the United States.
Kansas City Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Phil DiMartino confirmed that two suspects had been detained. Authorities also revealed that most of the stolen equipment has since been recovered, noting that none of the missing items were considered critical to England’s World Cup preparations.
“Yesterday, officials in Kansas City learned that goods belonging to the English national team were stolen during their over-the-road transport from Florida to their arrival at the training facility in Kansas City,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
Lucas added that local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies are working together to determine where the theft occurred and identify anyone else who may have been involved.
England’s charter flight landed in Kansas City around noon on Saturday. The squad received a warm welcome at its boutique hotel in Prairie Village, Kansas, where members of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs organization, including cheerleaders, a drum corps, and the team’s mascot, greeted the players.
Following their arrival, the Three Lions traveled to Swope Soccer Village for an open training session. The facility, formerly used by MLS club Sporting Kansas City, has been transformed into England’s temporary home during the tournament, complete with England flags and signage welcoming the national team.
Hundreds of supporters and media members attended the training session despite the hot and humid conditions, highlighting the excitement surrounding England’s World Cup campaign.
Although England will not play any group-stage matches in Kansas City, the team selected the city as its World Cup base camp because of its central location. England opens the tournament against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday, a short flight from Kansas City. Subsequent group-stage matches against Ghana in Boston and Panama in New Jersey are also within easy travel distance, while potential knockout-stage fixtures on the West Coast remain accessible.
Kansas City has emerged as a major World Cup hub, also hosting defending champions Argentina and the Netherlands as base camps. Algeria has established its headquarters nearby in Lawrence, Kansas.
The investigation into the stolen England equipment remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather information.
