World Cup 2026 stay: Fifa assertion on empty seats, investigation into theft at England camp, Ghana criticise ‘unfair’ Partey choice
England have been the victims of theft ahead of their arrival to their World Cup 2026 training base in Kansas City, with the team’s match boots and balls stolen.
The items were taken as Thomas Tuchel’s team travelled from Florida to Missouri on Friday, with the Kansas City Police Department investigating the incident and confirming two suspects have been apprehended.
“We are investigating a possible theft of equipment from a team vehicle that arrived in Kansas City with items missing this evening. Two subjects of interest were taken into custody pending further investigation.”
Meanwhile, Fifa has defended the swathes of empty seats in South Korea’s opening-day win against the Czech Republic by insisting that some fans “stood in concourses rather than in their assigned seat.”
Co-hosts USA got their tournament off to a flying start with a 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles. Tonight, it’s the turn of Scotland, who make their first appearance in a men’s World Cup in 28 years against Haiti.
Follow all of the latest news and more with our live blog below
England team hit by theft of boots and balls before World Cup opener
England have suffered a theft of training equipment ahead of their arrival to their World Cup training base in Kansas City, with items that include the team’s match boots and official tournament balls stolen on Friday.
Local police are investigating the incident, which came as team staff were in transit from their pre-tournament base in Florida to the Swope Soccer Village in Missouri, where the England players are due to arrive on Saturday. Police confirmed two individuals have been apprehended while the investigation continues.
Last night at World Cup: More empty seats as Fifa reckon fans too keen on concourses
Having blamed vacant seats during the opening night encounter between South Korea and Czechia on fans choosing to stay on the concourse in Guardalajara, Fifa big wigs will have spotted hundreds of empty spots in Toronto, the tournament’s smallest venue with a capacity of just over 45,000.
The official attendance was given as 43,008, with swathes of empty rows in the most expensive areas during the start of the first half as those who had paid top dollar chose to, it would seem, enjoy some refreshments rather than the action.
Toronto saw more empty seats despite excitement surrounding Canada, while SoFi Stadium even had a sprinkle of empty seats before the USA hammered Paraguay.
Ghana official releases statement after Thomas Partey denied entry to Canada
Ghana sports minister Kofi Adams has derided the “flimsy” grounds on which Thomas Partey has been denied entry to Canada for the 2026 World Cup and has urged a review of the decision.
The ex-Arsenal midfielder will, as it stands, miss Ghana’s World Cup opener on Wednesday against Panama in Toronto after being denied a Canadian visa.
The 33-year-old has been charged with seven counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by London’s Metropolitan Police and is awaiting trial. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Ghana’s government has since expressed “strong reservations” following the “high-handed and extremely unfair” decision to refuse the midfielder a visa to enter Canada.
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World Cup injury tracker: Neymar, Lamine Yamal and Christian Pulisic latest updates
Neymar looks set to miss Brazil’s 2026 World Cup opener against Morocco on Saturday.
The 34-year-old, who has not played for the national team in nearly three years, was a somewhat surprising inclusion in Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament in North America.
However, Neymar immediately sustained a grade two calf injury and while recovery is ongoing, the forward is unlikely to feature in New York on Saturday afternoon.
Tartan Army and celebrities start party ahead of Scotland’s first World Cup match in 28 years
Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, Baby Reindeer creator Richard Gadd and former footballers James McFadden and Darren Fletcher were among the big names to arrive in Boston ahead of Scotland’s first World Cup in 28 years.
A host of celebrities and the Tartan Army have arrived in the Massachusetts capital with celebrations already beginning ahead of the team’s first match.
The team’s Group C opener against Haiti is on Saturday at 9pm local time – 2am BST.
Scotland handed major World Cup boost as Scott McTominay returns to training after illness
Scott McTominay has rejoined the Scotland squad for training in Foxborough, Massachusetts, ahead of their World Cup opener against Haiti on Saturday.
The Napoli midfielder had missed Thursday’s session at the team’s Charlotte, North Carolina base due to an upset stomach.
Following the training session, Steve Clarke’s squad flew to Boston, with reports indicating the 29-year-old travelled separately with a doctor as a precautionary measure.
McTominay is a pivotal figure for Scotland, who are making their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, and will be crucial to their ambitions of reaching the knockout stages for the first time.
Steve Clarke said McTominay would be available on Saturday after an upset stomach but central defender Scott McKenna was out with a calf injury.
Gareth Southgate lookalikes gather for competition as World Cup kicks off
As the World Cup 2026 kicks off, a group of Gareth Southgate lookalikes gathered to commiserate the first tournament in 10 years without the former England manager at the helm.
Participants ranging from casual fans to professional lookalikes descended on a south London pub wearing their finest waistcoats to deliver their best Southgate impersonations.
The Independent spoke to the contestants vying for the coveted golden waist coat and a £100 bar tab.
