England's preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 have been thrown into disarray after training equipment was stolen from vehicles transporting it to their base at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City.

The Football Association confirmed that two vehicles were broken into, with balls and boots among the items believed to have been taken. Police officers attended the scene on Friday night and the investigation remains ongoing.

A spokesman for Kansas Police stated: "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 arrests have been made in connection with the incident, according to reports.

Tuchel's squad due in Kansas City on Saturday

Manager Thomas Tuchel and his England squad were scheduled to arrive in Kansas City on Saturday afternoon, with the stolen equipment having been sent ahead to ensure everything was in place before their arrival.

The squad is expected to hold their first full training session on Sunday, giving the FA a narrow window to replace or recover the missing items before preparations intensify.

The theft raises concerns over England's readiness ahead of their World Cup opener against Croatia on Wednesday. Any disruption to Tuchel's training plans at this stage of the tournament could prove costly for the side.