England haven't kicked a ball at this World Cup yet and they're already dealing with a theft. The squad's match boots — including those belonging to their star players — were stolen while equipment was being transported from their pre-tournament base in Florida to Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City.
Training balls and other tournament equipment went with them. The FA has declined to comment publicly and is now working with local police to try to retrieve the gear before Wednesday's Group L opener against Croatia in Dallas.
Not exactly the preparation Tuchel had in mind
Thomas Tuchel's staff are meticulous planners — that's been a cornerstone of the FA's pitch for this tournament cycle. A boot theft during a domestic road trip wasn't in the manual. The squad is due to train at Swope Soccer Village for the first time Saturday, and whoever is missing their match boots will need replacements sourced fast.
The timing matters. England face Croatia in four days. Players don't just wear any boots — fit, break-in time, and personal customisation are all factors. For someone like Bukayo Saka, already managing an achilles issue, training in unfamiliar footwear is a real complication, not a minor inconvenience.
There were genuine reasons for optimism coming out of Florida. England beat New Zealand in Tampa and Costa Rica in Orlando, with the latter performance drawing particular attention for Jude Bellingham's display at No 10 — enough, apparently, to push him ahead of Morgan Rogers for the starting spot against Croatia. Ezri Konsa and John Stones look set to partner in central defence, which could leave Marc Guéhi watching from the bench.
The squad picture heading into Croatia
- Jude Bellingham boosted his case for the No 10 role with a strong showing against Costa Rica
- Bukayo Saka is racing to prove his fitness with an achilles problem
- Ezri Konsa and John Stones may start at centre-back ahead of Marc Guéhi
- Morgan Rogers looks likely to miss out on the opener
England's odds to progress from Group L should be unaffected by the off-pitch chaos — Croatia aren't what they were in 2018, and this squad has firepower. But any disruption to preparation, however logistical, is a story Tuchel didn't need in his first major tournament as England manager. The FA is hoping local police move quickly. So far: no boots, no comment, and a Croatia game on Wednesday.
