England's World Cup base in Kansas wins over locals ahead of South Africa opener

Thomas Tuchel’s England squad has settled into its 2026 World Cup base at the Inn at Meadowbrook in Prairie Village, just outside Kansas City, ahead of the tournament opener against South Africa — and the local community has given the Three Lions a warm welcome.

The Football Association has taken over the entire 54-room property, priced at £260 a night, which sits within its own grounds and parkland. A three-tiered security operation is in place around the complex, involving FIFA, the US Department of Homeland Security, the Prairie Village Police Department, and private security personnel. A no-fly zone has also been enforced to prevent drone activity in the area.

Neighbours have wasted little time in showing their support. Judi and Elvin Knight, who live in a property directly adjacent to the hotel, had Union flags displayed outside their home ahead of the squad’s arrival. The couple are among a group of local residents invited to a cocktail reception with the England players and staff.

“We are so excited to have the team here,” said Judi, 81, who wore an England shirt she received as a Mother’s Day gift. “There is a group of people who live here who are all extremely close and the Prairie Village community will all be behind England. It is great that they chose to come here, out of all the places they could have chosen in the US. They will get a really warm welcome.”

Her husband Elvin, also 81 and a Kansas City Chiefs fan, acknowledged he was not deeply familiar with football but pointed to the sport’s growing footprint in the United States. “It is a real growth sport here in the US,” he said. “You see many kids playing it in the age group from around eight to 12 years old. That is why the World Cup is going to be so big.”

England’s preparations included a warm-up fixture against Costa Rica before the tournament itself gets under way. Mexico host the opening match of the 2026 edition, with the competition spread across three nations — the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Around seven million supporters are expected to travel to the host countries across the tournament, with a significant number of England fans set to be based in and around Kansas City.