England sufferer of World Cup ‘heist’ as Tuchel’s preparations rocked and cops launch probe
England have reportedly been the victim of a World Cup heist, with official tournament footballs and key training equipment stolen
England have had training equipment stolen ahead of the World Cup opener against Croatia(Image: (Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images))
England have reportedly fallen victim to a bold World Cup theft ahead of their opening match against Croatia next week, with players’ boots and crucial training gear allegedly ‘stolen in transit. ‘
The Three Lions have relocated their training camp from West Palm Beach in Florida to the Swope Soccer Village base in Missouri, where the reported theft occurred.
The Daily Mail reports that official tournament footballs and vital training equipment have been pilfered, leaving staff in a scramble to source replacements.
England will be calling the Swope Soccer Village home for the forthcoming three weeks as they aim to progress from the group stage.
Thomas Tuchel’s squad are due to train in Kansas City for the first time later today, but an investigation is currently underway to ascertain what has been taken.
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The Daily Star understands two individuals have been arrested and a police investigation is ongoing. The FA have also been contacted for comment.
The report suggests only one football was left untouched in the heist, while there are unverified claims that Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and others’ boots have been swiped.
It’s a significant setback for England in their preparations for the tournament, having had a successful pre-tournament camp in Miami.
An inquiry is in progress to determine what equipment remains and the report indicates the FA is collaborating with local police to retrieve the stolen items.
The report suggests England staff loaded the crucial equipment ahead of the move to Missouri, including analysis kit, Tuchel’s whiteboards, and massage tables, and were stunned when they failed to turn up in Kansas City.
Staff are now racing against the clock to source replacement equipment before Tuchel’s squad hits the training ground later today.
Tuchel had been delighted with England’s preparations in Miami having thrashed Costa Rica 3-0, and then hammered Miami FC 6-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
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“We get some minutes into the legs – game minutes, not training minutes – for the three players who didn’t play, for the guys who came for just 22 minutes plus extra time,” the England boss said.
“We can manage that. We can manage the game time. It will very likely be not more than two x 30 minutes or something like this.
“Then the players get one and a half days off, not only physically but also mentally to switch off. Well deserved.
“Then we start the next chunk of the tournament, which is the group stage, and we change location, which I’m looking forward to – not because we didn’t like it here (in Florida), it was excellent here and at the highest level.
“But it is nice to change scenery and give it a new frame for the next period of the tournament, which is then full focus on the group stage.”
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