A mass shooting in Kansas City left nine people injured just days before England were to arrive in the city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing renewed attention to security preparations around the tournament.Officials stressed that the incident was not related to the World Cup and did not occur near any tournament venue. Still, the shooting occurred just miles from England’s planned training base, adding another layer of scrutiny to security arrangements ahead of football’s biggest event.All nine victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to survive.
The shooting took place near England’s future training base.
According to Kansas City Police, officers responded to reports of shots fired near East 79th Street and Truist Avenue around 4 a.m. Saturday morning.When officers arrived, they found a large crowd dispersing from the area. Three women with gunshot wounds were taken to nearby hospitals by emergency services. Police later learned that six other people had also suffered injuries and had traveled to hospitals using private vehicles.Captain Jake Becchina of the Kansas City Police Department confirmed that all nine victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.No suspects have been detained and the investigation is ongoing.According to The Independent, the shooting location is about 4.6 miles from Swope Soccer Village, where England will train during the early stages of the World Cup. The team hotel is located a long way away, with police saying it is about 15 miles from the scene.Official Alayna Gonzalez stressed that the shooting “did not occur near the World Cup site or anything World Cup related”, including England’s base camp.
England was in Florida when the shooting happened
England players and staff were not in Kansas City at the time of the incident.Thomas Tuchel’s side are currently based in Florida as part of their final preparations before traveling to Missouri for the tournament.England beat New Zealand 1-0 in Tampa on Saturday afternoon thanks to a goal from captain Harry Kane. They are scheduled to face Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday before flying to Kansas City on June 13.
England’s Nico O’Reilly, second from right, and teammates jog during a training session for the national soccer team in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Tuesday, June 2, 2026, ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Kansas City has become one of the most popular base camp locations for the World Cup due to its central location in the United States and the quality of its training facilities. Along with England, Argentina, Algeria and Netherlands have also chosen the city as their tournament base.
England players jog during a national football team training session in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, ahead of the World Cup football tournament. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
England will train at the Swope Soccer Village, home to Sporting Kansas City’s reserve and academy teams, while Argentina will use Sporting Kansas City’s main facility. Netherlands will be based at the training center used by the Kansas City Current.
Even before the World Cup, great attention is being paid to security
The incident comes as local authorities continue extensive preparations for the arrival of players, staff and supporters ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament.According to KCTV5, the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners recently accepted a $17 million federal grant dedicated to World Cup safety and security operations.“We knew we needed funding, so we moved forward with the plan,” said Kansas City Police Department Deputy Chief Derek McCallum.“We finally knew the funding source would be coming through.”Speaking in comments reported by the Daily Mail last monthKansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas acknowledged the security challenges facing major American cities, but stressed that visiting teams will receive extensive security throughout the tournament.“I think when almost everyone can walk around with a firearm, especially a high-caliber weapon, people are at increased risk,” Lucas said.“This is a very real problem. There will be a strong law enforcement presence everywhere in terms of what we will do.“As far as VIPs go, they will be the most protected people in this city, in this country, with not only their own security teams but also enhanced security with the help of local law enforcement.”
Mayor points out unlicensed venue
Lucas said the violence following Saturday’s shooting occurred at an unlicensed after-hours club operating in the area.In a Facebook post, the mayor criticized those involved in running such places.“I know dollars seem valuable to irresponsible owners and promoters, but are lives changed and often lost and lawsuits even worth anything to you?” Lucas wrote.Nearby residents were also affected by the firing.Local resident Kate Fowler told the Kansas City Star She and her husband woke up to find a bullet hole in the front window of their home. They later learned that before the early morning firing, there had also been reports of firing in the area between 10 pm and 11 pm on Friday.Fowler said it’s not unusual to hear gunshots in the neighborhood.“These are unfortunate circumstances for some businesses here,” he told the newspaper.
Preparations for the tournament continue
Despite the incident, World Cup preparations continue across North America.Kansas City is one of several American cities playing a major role in the tournament and has invested heavily in security, infrastructure and logistics ahead of the arrival of thousands of supporters.England’s focus now turns to their final warm-up match against Costa Rica before traveling to Missouri and beginning preparations for their World Cup campaign.While police have repeatedly stressed that Saturday’s shootings were unrelated to the tournament, the incident is a reminder of the broader security campaign surrounding the event, which is expected to draw millions of spectators across the United States, Canada and Mexico in the coming weeks.