England’s World Cup preparations have suffered an unexpected setback after training equipment, including match boots and official tournament balls, was stolen from a team vehicle in Kansas City.
Local police are investigating the incident, which occurred on Friday as team staff were transporting equipment from their pre-tournament base in Florida to the Swope Soccer Village in Missouri.
A statement from the Kansas City Missouri Police Department read: “We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening. The investigation is ongoing. Two subjects of interest were taken into custody pending further investigation.”
Vehicles transferring the training equipment were broken into, according to reports, while the players travelled separately. The items were sent ahead of the arrival of the players on Saturday.
The Football Association’s logistical team had been setting up their new base at the Swope Soccer Village, and sources told ESPN that training kit and other items were missing when a van arrived to be unloaded. Sources added that the FA is now determining exactly what has been taken.
England are due to have their first full day of training in Kansas City on Sunday as they build up to their opening match of the tournament against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday.
Thomas Tuchel’s team have played two warm-up friendlies so far in the United States, against New Zealand and Costa Rica in Florida. The team also organised a behind-closed-doors match against a local team on Thursday, which they won 6-0.
Missouri has proven to be a popular base for several World Cup teams. World Cup holders Argentina, as well as the Netherlands and Algeria, are also staying in the Kansas City area during the duration of the tournament.
