England Arrive at the World Cup… Without Their Boots

England's World Cup adventure got off to the most chaotic of starts before a single ball was kicked, according to The Guardian. The squad's match boots were stolen while equipment was being transported from their pre-tournament base in Florida to Kansas City, leaving the FA to liaise with local police in an attempt to recover them.

The timing could hardly be worse — the theft came to light just ahead of England's first training session on American soil, turning what should have been a routine setup day into a logistical headache.

The FA is working with authorities to track down the missing gear, though whether the boots will be recovered in time remains to be seen. For a squad trying to project calm and focus, it is the kind of off-pitch distraction nobody wanted.