England World Cup preparations hit by equipment theft ahead of Croatia clash
- England’s training equipment was stolen while being transported from Florida to Kansas City ahead of the World Cup.
- Police have arrested two suspects and launched an ongoing investigation into the incident.
- The theft could disrupt England’s preparations for its opening World Cup match against Croatia in Dallas.
England’s preparations for the FIFA World Cup have suffered an unexpected setback after training equipment was reportedly stolen while being transported to the team’s base in Kansas City.
US police confirmed on Saturday that a vehicle carrying equipment from England’s pre-tournament training camp in Florida was targeted before reaching the team’s accommodation and training facilities in Kansas City. The incident occurred shortly before the squad’s arrival in the city ahead of its World Cup campaign.
According to authorities, several items were missing from the vehicle when it arrived in Kansas City. Police have launched an investigation into the theft and confirmed that two suspects are currently in custody pending further inquiries.
While officials have not released a full list of the stolen items, British media reports suggest that footballs, boots and other training equipment were among the missing gear. The Football Association has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident, dw.com reports.
The theft comes at a critical stage of England’s World Cup preparations, with the team scheduled to begin training immediately upon arrival in Kansas City. Any disruption to training plans could prove inconvenient as manager and players finalize preparations for their opening group-stage match against Croatia on Wednesday in Dallas.
Law enforcement authorities said investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the theft and whether additional suspects may have been involved. Efforts are also underway to recover the missing equipment before England’s training schedule is affected.
Despite the setback, England is expected to continue its preparations as planned, with team officials likely to source replacement equipment if necessary. However, the incident has drawn significant attention just days before one of the tournament favorites begins its quest for World Cup glory.
