Equipment stolen before England's opening World Cup match

Police in Kansas City, Mo., are investigating the theft of training equipment from England's World Cup team.

Gear was taken from the team's vehicles sometime Friday night during their move from a training site in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., to its World Cup base camp in Kansas City, authorities said.

Sgt. Phil DiMartino of the Kansas City Police Department confirmed to The Associated Press on Saturday that two people had been taken into custody.

"Yesterday, officials in Kansas City learned at some point between their over-the-road transport from Florida to their arrival at the training facility in Kansas City, goods belonging to the English national team were stolen," Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas told reporters.

"Public safety officials at the local, state and federal levels are working to trace where in the United States the items were seized and all the individuals who may have been involved."

The English Football Association confirmed the theft but declined to provide further details because of the ongoing police investigation.

The Athletic reported Saturday afternoon that several items -- mainly footwear -- of the stolen training kit have been recovered by England.

Ranked No. 4 in the world, England chose Kansas City for a base camp for its central U.S. location.

The Three Lions' Group L opener is on Wednesday against Croatia in Arlington, Texas. England also will play Ghana on June 23 in Foxborough, Mass., and Panama on June 27 in East Rutherford, N.J.

--Field Level Media

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This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 10:30 AM.