England squad hit by boot theft as police make two arrests ahead of Kansas City move

England’s World Cup preparations were thrown into disarray after players’ boots and training equipment were stolen in transit during the squad’s relocation from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Missouri. Two arrests have been made, with local police confirming the investigation remains ongoing as FA staff work against the clock to replace the stolen gear before scheduled training sessions begin.

The Football Association confirmed it is actively cooperating with local authorities to recover the missing items. The theft adds an unwanted distraction for Gareth Southgate’s side as they settle into their new Kansas City base ahead of their tournament fixtures.

Elsewhere, Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has been denied entry into Canada ahead of his country’s opening Group match against Panama in Toronto on Wednesday, June 17. FIFA confirmed in a statement that Partey’s visa application was refused by the Canadian government, leaving him confined to Ghana’s base camp in Boston. The Ghanaian football association could potentially lodge an appeal, though no decision has been confirmed.

On the pitch, the United States opened their home World Cup campaign with a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay, though President Donald Trump was not in attendance for the match. Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia in another group-stage opener, with both sides sharing the points.

Off the field, FOX Sports pundit Alexi Lalas caused a stir by using a British expletive live on air during a segment alongside co-hosts Thierry Henry and Rebecca Lowe, with the remark made while previewing James Corden’s upcoming World Cup late-night show.

Broadcasters have also faced a wave of viewer complaints over the quality of television coverage in the tournament’s opening days, with fans expressing frustration at the standard of highlights packages provided by major networks.