Huge value of England theft revealed as drivers are charged over stolen equipment

The value of the equipment stolen from England's World Cup squad has been revealed.

England have relocated from Florida to their World Cup base in Kansas City and their equipment was sent ahead of their arrival on Saturday.

Players' boots and World Cup match balls were among the items stolen by thieves as the Three Lions' gear was transported to their camp at Swope Soccer Village from Florida, where they played their pre-tournament warm-up fixtures against New Zealand and Costa Rica.

According to reporting in Kansas City, the two men charged by prosecutors in Jackson County, Missouri were both drivers working for the trucking company responsible for hauling England's equipment ahead of the World Cup.

They have been charged with receiving stolen property in connection with the theft of equipment with a total value of around $18,000 (£13,500).

"We thank the Kansas City Police Department and our on-call attorneys for their quick work investigating this incident and filing charges immediately," announced Jackson County prosecutor Melesa Johnson.

"Our office is committed to holding these individuals accountable."

It's understood that much of the stolen equipment has been recovered.

"Sources have confirmed the return of the items that were taken after vehicles transferring equipment to their Swope Soccer Village base in Kansas City were broken into," reported BBC Sport.

"Footwear was among the items stolen but that did not include any elite boots and nothing game-critical was taken."

The theft took place as England continued their preparations for World Cup 2026 and their first Group L fixture against Croatia in Arlington, Texas on Wednesday.

England, who reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 and the quarter-finals four years later, are among the most fancied teams at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and are favourites to finish first in Group L.

England target top spot in the group stage

That's not a foregone conclusion by any means.

Croatia qualified with ease, topping a straightforward group unbeaten ahead of fellow World Cup qualifiers Czech Republic, who started with a 2-1 loss against South Korea.

England are very familiar with frequent tournament opponents Croatia and will face them in Thomas Tuchel's first major tournament fixture at AT&T Stadium.

The Three Lions will also play Ghana in Foxborough and Panama in New Jersey.