Two people were arrested by police in connection with the theft of equipment belonging to the England national team that occurred during the logistics transfer process from the temporary training base in Florida to Kansas City, United States, which will be the permanent center of activities for The Three Lions during the 2026 World Cup.
The English Football Association (FA) confirmed the incident to the AP on Saturday (June 13, 2026). However, the FA did not provide further details as the case is still under investigation.
According to authorities, the theft allegedly occurred on Friday (12/6/2026) night while the team's equipment was on a road trip to Kansas City.
Sergeant Phil DiMartino of the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department confirmed that two people had been arrested in the case. Police also stated that most of the missing items had been recovered.
Authorities stressed that the stolen equipment was not essential and could disrupt the England national team's preparations for the tournament.
"England national team items were stolen at some point during the transit from Florida to the training facility in Kansas City," said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas.
He added that security forces from the local, state, and federal levels are now working together to trace the location of the theft and identify all parties involved.
"Public safety officials at the local, state, and federal levels are working to track down where the items were stolen and who may have been involved in this case," Lucas said.
The England national team arrived in Kansas City on a charter flight around noon on Saturday (June 13, 2026). Upon arrival, the England squad received a warm welcome at their boutique hotel in Prairie Village, Kansas.
The group was greeted by a drum band, cheerleaders, and the mascot of the NFL team Kansas City Chiefs.
After checking in at the hotel, the England players headed straight to an open training session at Swope Soccer Village. The complex previously served as the training center for MLS club Sporting Kansas City and still serves as the base for the club's second-tier squad and academy.
The English flag flew over the training complex, while a large sign reading "The Home of England" was erected to welcome the team.
Hundreds of fans and dozens of journalists were present to witness the open training session which took place in hot and humid weather.
Despite not playing a single group stage match in Kansas City, England chose the city as their home base due to its strategic location in the central United States.
England's opening match against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday (June 17, 2026) is only about a 90-minute flight from Kansas City. Meanwhile, the matches against Ghana in Boston and Panama in New Jersey are about a 3-hour flight away.
Besides England, defending champions Argentina and the Netherlands will also make Kansas City their home base during the 2026 World Cup. Meanwhile, Algeria has chosen to base itself in Lawrence, Kansas, which is located nearby.
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