England 's World Cup preparations have been disrupted after match boots, balls and training equipment were stolen while the squad's kit was being transported to Kansas City.
The timing gives Thomas Tuchel an unwanted problem before England face Croatia in their 2026 World Cup opener on June 17.
The missing items were not spare travel luggage, but part of the working kit needed before England's first training session at their tournament base.
Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
Daily Mail reports that England's equipment was taken while it was being moved from West Palm Beach in Florida to the team's Swope Soccer Village training base in Missouri.
"England were the victims of an audacious World Cup heist after the players' match boots were stolen from a van before their first training session in Kansas City," the Daily Mail revealed.
The report added, "… Boots belonging to the team's biggest stars were pinched along with official tournament balls and key training equipment.
"One football was left among the cargo that remained, while there are fears that the boots belonging to the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have also gone."
The theft therefore appears to have hit several layers of England's preparation at once. Boots can be replaced, but players often rely on specific pairs that are already broken in and matched to their comfort before major tournament matches.
The location of the theft matters because England's gear had been packed after their Florida pre-camp and was on its way to the Kansas City base they will use during the group stage.
"Security staff suspect that drivers they trusted to deliver the kit could be involved. The FA are now liaising with local police as desperate attempts are made to recover the stolen goods," the report further stated.
Training balls, analysis equipment, whiteboards, and massage tables were also part of the wider cargo, which makes the incident more disruptive than a straightforward boot shortage.
England's opener against Croatia will be played in Dallas, but Kansas City is their tournament base, which means the first few days there are meant to set the rhythm for Tuchel's group.
Instead, staff have been left checking what is missing, what can be recovered and what must be replaced before the serious football begins.
Read more:
