England’s preparations for their World Cup 2026 opener against Croatia have been given more unwelcome disruption after a tornado warning in Kansas City.
Thomas Tuchel and his squad have been forced to shelter inside due to the threat of weather near their training base, with a heavy storm lashing the city. It followed the theft of training equipment prior to their arrival, although most items have now been recovered as England gear up for their first game in Group L.
Already underway are Scotland, winners at a World Cup for the first time in 36 years after a nervy 1-0 success against Haiti. The Scots top Group C thanks to John McGinn’s goal after Brazil and Morocco had earlier shared a draw, and three points could yet be enough to take them into the knockout rounds. Sunday sees two more possible contenders get going, with Germany and the Netherlands in action later as the World Cup rolls on.
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Read MoreTornado hits Kansas City hours after England arrive at World Cup base with players told to shelter
Scotland’s long World Cup wait is over – now they can dream of a mythical extra game
World Cup LIVE
- World Cup rolls on with Netherlands and Germany set to get underway on Sunday
- England forced to shelter at training camp after tornado warning
- Two men charged over theft of England equipment
- Scotland earn first World Cup win in 36 years with nervy victory over Haiti
- Fifa releases statement after empty seats evident across opening games
Why Virgil van Dijk could be the World Cup’s most valuable player
09:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleHow deep can the Netherlands go? There is a lot to like about their squad, even after injury to Jurrien Timber, but their hopes may rest on Virgil van Dijk re-finding his best football. Richard Jolly explains why he might be the World Cup’s most valuable player.
Why Virgil van Dijk could be the most valuable player at World Cup 2026
Coming up today....
09:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere are two games later this evening British time, and two more in the early hours of tomorrow.
Sunday 14 June
Germany vs Curacao (Group E) – 6pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
Netherlands vs Japan (Group F) – 9pm BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
Monday 15 June
Ivory Coast vs Ecuador (Group E) – 12am BST – BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website
Sweden vs Tunisia (Group F) – 3am BST – ITV 1, ITV X, STV, STV Player
Fifa releases statement on empty seats
09:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere were empty seats evident again yesterday at venues, which is perhaps natural given the supersized schedule and sky-high prices. Fifa issued a strong statement on Friday.
Fifa release statement after World Cup match sees thousands of empty seats
The selection gamble that paid off for Australia in shock win over Turkey
09:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleAlso off to a winning start are Australia, with a bold selection call in goal paying off in a 2-0 success over Turkey.
The bold selection call that paid off for Australia in strong start to World Cup
The secret Scotland weapon who could hold key to World Cup hopes
09:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleOl’ reliable John McGinn got the winner for Scotland, but Chris Wilson picked out another of Steve Clarke’s charges as a key figure in a narrow success over Haiti.
The secret Scotland weapon who could hold key to World Cup hopes
Scotland celebrate first World Cup win for 36 years
08:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleScotland, meanwhile, are already celebrating having begun their first World Cup in nearly three decades with a first tournament win in nearly four. Richard Jolly was there:
Scotland create World Cup history and dream of a mythical extra game
How will England line up against Croatia in their 2026 World Cup opener?
08:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleThomas Tuchel will be glad to have selection to focus on in the next couple of days as that Croatia opener looms into focus. Lawrence Ostlere has had a go at predicting what the England manager might be thinking:
How will England line up against Croatia in their 2026 World Cup opener?
England World Cup chef stopped from boarding train due to kitchen knives
08:25 , Will CastleEngland’s team chef, meanwhile, was reportedly stopped from boarding a train due to his cooking knives in another extraordinary turn of events in their pre-World Cup preparations.
England World Cup chef stopped from boarding train due to kitchen knives
Two men charged over theft of England equipment at World Cup
08:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleTwo stuffed lions, a Lego set and some expensive football boots were among the items taken in the “heist” that hit England on the way to their World Cup base in Kansas City.
Having enjoyed a smooth, injury-free warm weather training camp in Florida, the Football Association had to deal with an unexpected headache in the Midwest on Friday night.
Equipment was discovered missing upon arriving at their Swope Soccer Village base, with Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas saying “local, state and federal” officials were working on the “heist in transit of English national team equipment”.
Two men have now been charged.
Two men charged over theft of England equipment at World Cup
England team hit by theft of boots and balls before World Cup opener
08:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe tornado warning is the latest unwelcome distraction for England in a troublesome couple of days – fortunately, most of the items stolen from them on arrival in Kansas City have now been recovered.
England team hit by theft of boots and balls before World Cup opener
Tornado warning disrupts England as huge storm hits Kansas City
07:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe area where England are staying escaped a tornado, but was hit by a heavy storm consisting of high winds, thunder, lightning and heavy rain.
Warnings were heard blaring out in downtown Kansas City, urging people to go indoors.
Local TV stations interrupted coverage of Scotland’s World Cup clash with Haiti and the NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs for minute-by-minute tracking of the storm.
England’s pre-tournament camp in Florida was littered with weather issues, including their final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica being delayed by an hour after a thunderstorm, but nothing as severe as a tornado.
The warning saw Kansas City’s fan festival shut early for safety reasons.
A statement from organisers read: “Due to anticipated severe weather, Fifa fan festival will be closing early at 5pm and will not reopen today. The safety of the public, staff, volunteers and entertainers remains our top priority.”
Tornado hits Kansas City and forces England to shelter
07:45 , Will CastleA tornado has hit Kansas City just hours after England touched down at their World Cup base in the city.
Thomas Tuchel’s side arrived down in the Midwest on Saturday lunchtime after a day and a half off in Florida, holding a community training session at their Swope Soccer Village base at 5pm local time (11pm BST).
The sun was still searing when the squad took to the field, with temperatures at 30 degrees Celsius, but a tornado warning was put out for parts of the city as storms were due to hit in the early evening.
Tornado hits Kansas City hours after England arrive at World Cup base
Good morning!
07:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe World Cup rolls on with another jam-packed day of action ahead. We’ll have all of the latest on the first Sunday of the tournament, including a real worry for England ahead of their opener against Croatia....
