Two men have been charged after equipment belonging to the England national football team was stolen as the squad traveled from its pre-training base in Florida to the World Cup base camp in Kansas City.
Jackson County prosecutors have charged Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal, both of San Antonio, Texas, with one felony count of receiving stolen property. This Class D felony carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. Bond was set at $75,000 for both men.
“Jackson County will not tolerate any criminal activity targeting World Cup attendees, including the international teams that travel here to compete,” Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson said in a statement.
The stolen property, worth approximately $18,000, was recovered and did not affect England’s preparations for the tournament.
Authorities have recovered nine pairs of football boots, goalkeeper gloves, a World Cup match ball, training clothes, electronic equipment, stuffed animals, signed England jerseys and a Nike Air Lego set worth $99.99.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas praised law enforcement for their quick response.
“I am grateful for the quick work of the Kansas City Police Department and the District Attorney’s Office in resolving a multi-state investigation, helping crime victims recover property stolen in transit, and ensuring the suspect will be prosecuted,” Lucas said.
The theft occurred before the English charter flight arrived in Kansas City on Saturday.
The team was welcomed to the base in Prairie Village, Kansas, before attending an open practice at Swope Soccer Village, where hundreds of supporters gathered to watch.
England have chosen Kansas City as their World Cup base, despite no group stage matches being played, due to its central location and ease of travel to locations in the United States.
The Three Lions begin their World Cup campaign against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday before taking on Ghana in Boston and Panama in New Jersey.
Published on June 14, 2026
