England's preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026 has been thrown into disarray after equipment belonging to the travelling squad was stolen during transit between West Palm Beach, Florida, and their base in Kansas City, Missouri.

Manager Thomas Tuchel's side are set to open their Group L campaign against Croatia on June 17 in Arlington, USA — but news of the theft has cast a shadow over the squad's build-up to what is one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the tournament.

What was taken

The stolen inventory is reported to include footballs, boots, and — perhaps most critically — tactical analysis equipment. Among the missing items are Tuchel's whiteboards, which are understood to have contained preparation materials for the Croatia clash.

Most alarmingly, there are fears that boots belonging to Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham were among the items taken during the journey. The Football Association are now working with local law enforcement in an effort to recover the stolen belongings.

Suspects and investigation

Security personnel working with the England delegation believe the drivers responsible for transporting the squad's equipment may be connected to the theft. The FA declined to comment when approached by Daily Mail Sport.

With England's opening fixture against Croatia scheduled for Wednesday, the squad have precious little time to replace or recover their missing items. The loss of tactical analysis equipment is a particular concern — it remains unclear whether any sensitive preparation data has been compromised.

Should key tactical information have fallen into the wrong hands, the consequences for England's World Cup campaign could extend well beyond a few misplaced pairs of boots.