The England national football team has been dealt another setback in its preparations for the 2026 World Cup after a significant amount of equipment was reportedly stolen during the team's relocation to its tournament base.

The theft occurred while England's gear was being transported from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri, where the squad is scheduled to remain for at least the next three weeks.

Reports indicate that the stolen items include boots belonging to several of England's biggest stars, training balls and other essential equipment used by players and staff on a daily basis. Tactical boards, analysis tools and medical equipment were also reportedly among the missing items.

The incident adds to what has already been a turbulent build-up to the tournament for the Three Lions. In recent weeks, the squad's preparations were disrupted by a shooting incident near its training base in Florida and by the earthquake that affected parts of the Florida Keys during the team's stay.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel and his staff now face a race against time to replace or recover the missing equipment before England opens its World Cup campaign against the Ghana national football team.

While the theft is not expected to alter England's ambitions on the pitch, it represents another unwelcome distraction for one of the tournament's leading contenders. The team remains focused on its quest for World Cup glory, but the latest incident has ensured that the road to kickoff has been anything but smooth.

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