England Squad Hit by Theft Before Even Reaching World Cup Camp

Pulse Sports Team 06:03 - 14 June 2026

Two men from Texas have been charged with stealing equipment belonging to the English national football team before the squad's arrival at their base camp for the World Cup in Kansas City, USA. Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal allegedly made off with property valued at a total of $18,000, according to US Attorney Melesa Johnson.

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“We will not tolerate any criminal activity committed against World Cup visitors or national football teams arriving on American soil to participate in the tournament. I want to thank the Kansas City Police Department for initiating a swift investigation into the entire case,” Johnson was quoted as saying by AFP.

The English squad was scheduled to arrive in Missouri on Saturday afternoon after a training camp in Florida. According to British media reports, cleats and footballs were stolen from the Swope Soccer Village facility even before their first training session.

Under Missouri state law, the two men accused of theft face a prison sentence of up to seven years.