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England’s preparations for their 2026 World Cup opener against Croatia faced an unexpected setback after the team was reportedly robbed while travelling to Kansas City, Missouri.

According to reports, Thomas Tuchel’s squad was left with only a single football following the theft, as detailed by the Daily Mail. The missing items included valuable football boots belonging to star players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, as well as crucial analysis equipment used by the England coaching staff.

Among the stolen goods, the most significant losses were said to be Tuchel’s tactical whiteboards and technical gear used for team analysis. Initially, there was uncertainty about whether any sensitive tactical data had been compromised. However, the financial extent of the theft has now been disclosed.

A report from Kansas City confirmed that prosecutors in Jackson County, Missouri, have filed charges against two men in connection with the incident. The total estimated value of the stolen items stands at approximately $18,000, equivalent to around £13,500.

England’s contingent had been travelling to Missouri to set up their training base ahead of what is expected to be at least three weeks of World Cup action. Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson commented on the swift resolution, stating: “We thank the Kansas City Police Department and our on-call attorneys for their quick work investigating this incident and filing charges immediately. Our office is committed to holding these individuals accountable. It’s understood that much of the stolen equipment has been recovered.”

Fortunately for the England camp, the majority of the missing equipment has been returned, with confirmation that no game-critical materials or elite boots were among the items still missing. The BBC previously reported that almost all of the stolen gear had been recovered.

With the situation now largely resolved, England can shift their focus back to football as they prepare to face Croatia in their Group L opener. The recovery of the stolen items and the reassurance that no strategic information was compromised will allow Tuchel’s men to enter the match with renewed confidence.