England are in discussions about a behind-closed-doors friendly against Major League Soccer club Sporting Kansas City, as the squad looks to maintain match sharpness during the early stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The proposed training match would take place between England's opening group fixture against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday — kick-off at 21:00 BST — and their second Group game against Ghana the following Tuesday at the same time.

Sources close to the Football Association confirm that talks are ongoing, though the opposition and exact details have yet to be finalised.

Kansas City base camp

England have set up their World Cup base in Kansas City, with the squad training daily at Swope Soccer Village, a facility roughly 15 minutes from the city centre.

Sporting KC, who play in MLS, are managed by former Switzerland international Raphael Wicky.

This would not be England's first closed-door workout of the tournament. During their pre-tournament camp in Florida, they played a behind-closed-doors match against Miami FC.

Should the game against Sporting KC go ahead, it is expected to give those players who see limited playing time against Croatia the opportunity to build fitness and rhythm ahead of the Ghana clash.