There has already been a great deal of talk about off-field issues at the 2026 World Cup so far. Visa issues and overzealous border security have left a bad taste in the mouth for money.

Just when the football was starting to come into focus again – helped by the US’s fantastic 4-1 win over Paraguay – another worrying concern has emerged. Indeed, according to local police, the English national team have been hit by a robbery.

The Three Lions had gear moving from West Palm Beach in Florida to their Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City, Missouri, when the audacious World Cup heist took place.

Credit: Reuters/Jim Rassol

As first reported by Daily Mail, Thomas Tuchel’s men were due to train in the Kansas City camp for the first time this afternoon (13 June), but staff are now ‘scrambling’ to figure out exactly what has been taken and what is available to them. Indeed, some very important equipment was taken from a van en route from Florida to Missouri.

Details have now emerged of what exactly was stolen, as it’s remarkably stated that only one football has been left for the players to train with. Among the missing cargo, it’s also claimed that football boots have also gone missing, with fears that Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham could be among those robbed.

It’s far from ideal preparation for the World Cup opener against Croata in just four days. England staff are said to have packed up all of their essential training gear to make the journey from the pre-camp in Florida to their official World Cup base. This included analysis equipment, as well as Tuchel’s whiteboards and massage tables.

Police Department Share Statement After England World Cup Heist

It is understood that an arrest has already been made, with the Daily Mail claiming that security staff suspect drivers they trusted to deliver the kit could be involved in the robbery. The FA are now liaising with local police as they try to recover the stolen goods.

The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department have released a statement, explaining:

It remains unclear just how complicated it will be for England to immediately replace all the items stolen before their opening Group L game on 17 June.

This isn’t the first drama relating to issues of crime near a Three Lions’ training camp, as nine were injured in a mass shooting just four miles from the training base and team hotel in Kansas City earlier in the month.

Former United States international Clint Dempsey launched a furious response to Canada head coach Jesse Marsch on live TV during day two of the 2026 World Cup.

Canada and the United States’ men’s teams were both in action on Friday.

Marsch’s Canada came from behind to draw 1-1 with Bosnia and Herzegovina, while the United States secured an emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay – a match which saw football history made with the first-ever ‘Mistaken Identity’ VAR check.

Marsch: ‘We Had to Beg US Players to Sing National Anthem’

Kevin Sousa via Reuters

Marsch, who was capped twice by the United States as a player and went on to work as an assistant coach under Bob Bradley, caused a stir this week by saying they had to sometimes “beg players to sing the national anthem” when he was part of the US setup.

Speaking about his current players, Marsch was quoted by The Guardian saying: “Every one of these boys is incredibly Canadian and the pride they have in putting on the jersey, representing the country, hearing the national anthem.”

He added: “In the US sometimes we had to beg players to sing the national anthem … these guys belt it out to the top of their lungs because they want to show the country how proud they are to be here, to be Canadians and to represent what Canada is.”

Dempsey Issues Stinging Response to Marsch

Fox Sports

Dempsey, the former Fulham and Tottenham star who now works as a pundit, was told of Marsch’s eyebrow-raising comments ahead of Friday’s two World Cup fixtures and issued a stinging response.

“He really said that?” Dempsey asked. “Man, I can’t take this guy too seriously. It was an honour for me growing up and represent my country. When the national anthem happened, I wasn’t someone who normally would sing. I put my hand over my heart, and I’d pray to the good man upstairs.

And as my boy Titi [Thierry Henry] would say, stay in your own lane. It looks like he’s in a dang moped, so worry about your own team.” Watch the clip below:

Dempsey is the joint-leading scorer in the history of the US Men’s National Team with 57 goals. He earned 141 caps for his country between 2004-2017, putting him fourth for most appearances in the nation’s history behind Cobi Jones (164 caps), Landon Donovan (157 caps) and Michael Bradley (151 caps).

Manchester United are preparing to offer a new contract to Bruno Fernandes, according to Sportsboom, in an attempt to keep the club captain for the long-term future.

It comes as the Red Devils are trying to build their squad with the hopes of taking them to the next level, having already lined up several deals this summer.

Ederson is set to join from Atalanta, while there is interest in Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Lewis Hall, and more in an attempt to bolster the squad.

The return to the Champions League will play a huge part in any move, and that has come with the help of Bruno Fernandes over the past season and his record-breaking contribution.

Now, Man United look set to reward the Portuguese international.

Man United Prepare Bruno Fernandes Offer

According to the report from Sportsboom, Man United are preparing a new contract for Fernandes, with a wage in the region of £325,000-a-week set to be proposed to the club captain.

It’s claimed that Michael Carrick views the 31-year-old as the heartbeat of the team, and are keen to build the next phase of the team around the playmaker.

Fernandes has a deal until 2027 at Old Trafford, with the club holding the option of another year that could take his stay up until 2028.

There has been plenty of interest in the talisman in recent transfer windows, with links persisting over a possible move to the Saudi Pro League.

The 31-year-old has stayed up until this point, though, and looks set to stay after helping the team secure Champions League football for next season.

Last campaign, Fernandes managed to break the Premier League assist record for a single season with 21, going ahead of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne who had hit 20.

That underlines the impact of the star for Man United, and a new deal will reflect his standing in the squad and the plan to build around him for the future.

Man United Wages Concern

A move to extend Fernandes’s contract would be a show of faith for his quality during his time at Manchester United so far, which would be well-deserved.

However, there may be some concerns surrounding the wage structure, if a deal in the range of £325,000-a-week is made for the club captain.

While the playmaker is performing well now, which would justify such a wage increase, there is no guarantee that he will continue to perform at such a level.

Mohamed Salah is a good example, as he signed a fresh two-year deal last summer with Liverpool, but very quickly dropped off and is set to leave the club just halfway into that deal.

Marcus Rashford is another, as Man United now look to move the forward on with his massive wages, after he fell out of the club’s plans.

So, while a new contract may be well-deserved, it comes with risk at that price point.