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Casablanca — England’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been disrupted after a shipment of training equipment went missing during the team’s journey from Florida to Kansas City, just days before their opening match against Croatia.
According to reports first published by the Daily Mail and later confirmed by local authorities, the missing items include football boots belonging to several players, official match balls, analytical equipment, and technical gear used by the coaching staff.
The equipment was being transported from England’s training camp in West Palm Beach, Florida, to Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, where the team will be based during the group stage and much of its stay in the United States. When the shipment arrived, several packages were reportedly missing.
Among those affected are England captain Harry Kane, midfielder Jude Bellingham, and winger Anthony Gordon. British media reports said the players lost boots specially prepared for the tournament. A number of training balls also disappeared, with some reports claiming that only one ball remained after the theft.
The English Football Association has since been forced to reorganize parts of its logistics operation. Staff members are working to either recover the missing equipment or secure replacements before the start of the competition.
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Kansas City police have launched an investigation into the incident and confirmed that two persons of interest have been arrested. Authorities have not released further information about their possible connection to the case.
The theft comes at a difficult moment for England as the team completes its final preparations for the World Cup. Before arriving in Kansas City, members of the squad had already expressed concern following a shooting near their training base in Florida. The team also experienced disruptions linked to an earthquake that struck the Florida Keys during its pre-tournament stay.
The incident has also renewed discussion around security measures at the tournament, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Earlier concerns focused on travel and entry procedures after delegations from Iran, Senegal, and Uzbekistan reported lengthy inspections and additional screening at U.S. airports. FIFA and tournament organizers defended those measures as part of enhanced security protocols.
This latest case has shifted attention to the protection of team equipment. The disappearance of items such as tactical boards, analysis devices, and customized player gear has raised concerns among participating federations.
Despite the setback, England is continuing with its preparations for its World Cup debut against Croatia in Dallas next Wednesday.
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