Nine people were injured in a mass shooting in Kansas City just days before England were due to arrive in Kansas City for the 2026 World Cup fifa world cupprompting renewed attention to safety preparations around the event.Authorities stressed that the incident was not related to the World Cup and did not occur near any competition venue. Still, the shooting took place just a few miles from England’s planned training base, adding another layer of scrutiny to security arrangements ahead of football’s biggest tournament.All nine victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries and are expected to survive.
Shooting near England’s future training base
According to Kansas City police, officers responded to a report of a shooting near East 79th Street and Troost Avenue around 4 a.m. Saturday morning.When police arrived, they found a large group of people dispersing from the area. Three women who were shot were taken to nearby hospitals by emergency services. Police later learned that six other people were also injured and taken to the hospital in private vehicles.Kansas City Police Capt. Jack Bechner confirmed that all nine victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries.No suspects are in custody and the investigation remains ongoing.The shooting took place approximately 4.6 miles from Swope Football Village, where the England team will train for the opening stages of the World Cup. The Independent. The team’s hotel was quite far from the scene, about 15 miles away, police said.Officer Alena Gonzalez stressed that the shooting “did not occur at a World Cup venue or any other World Cup-related location,” including England’s base camp.
England was in Florida when the shooting occurred
England players and staff were not in Kansas City when the incident occurred.Thomas Tuchel’s side are currently based in Florida as part of their final preparations before heading to Missouri for the game.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) jogs with teammates during a national soccer team training session ahead of the World Cup on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Kansas City is one of the most popular World Cup base locations due to its central location in the United States and excellent training facilities. In addition to England, Argentina, Algeria and the Netherlands have also chosen the city as their base for matches.
England players jog during a national soccer team training session ahead of the World Cup on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
England will train at Swope Football Village, home to Sporting Kansas City’s reserve and academy teams, while Argentina will use Sporting Kansas City’s main facilities. The Dutch team will be based at the training center used by the Kansas City Tide.
Security has become a major concern ahead of the World Cup
The incident comes as local authorities continue to make extensive preparations for the arrival of players, staff and supporters ahead of a tournament that has been expanded to 48 teams.The Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners recently accepted a $17 million federal grant specifically for World Cup security and safety operations, KCTV5 reported.“We know we need the funding, so we’re moving forward with the plan,” said Kansas City Police Deputy Chief Derek McCollum.“We think eventually the funding sources will be in place.”Speak in the comments last month daily mailKansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas acknowledged the security challenges facing major U.S. cities but insisted visiting teams would have extensive protection throughout the tournament.“Quite frankly, I think the threats that people face are heightened when almost everyone can walk around with a gun, especially a high-capacity gun,” Lucas said.“This is a very real issue. In terms of what we’re going to do, there will be strong law enforcement presence everywhere.“For VIP guests, they will be the safest in the city, in the country, not only with their own security team, but with enhanced security with the help of local law enforcement.”
Mayor points out unlicensed premises
After Saturday’s shooting, Lucas said the violence occurred at an unlicensed nightclub in the area.in a Facebook postThe mayor criticized those involved in running such venues.“I know the money may seem worth it to irresponsible owners and promoters, but are lives changed, often lost, and lawsuits have some value to you?” Lucas wrote.The shooting also affected nearby residents.Local resident Kate Fowler told kansas city star She and her husband woke up to find a bullet hole in the front window of their home. She later learned that gunfire had also been heard in the area between 10 and 11 p.m. on Friday night before the early morning shooting.Fowler said it’s not unusual to hear gunfire in the neighborhood.“It’s just an unfortunate situation for some businesses here,” she told the newspaper.
Preparations for the event continue
Despite this incident, preparations for the World Cup continue in North America.Kansas City is one of several U.S. cities to play a major role in the event, investing heavily in security, infrastructure and logistics ahead of the arrival of thousands of supporters.For England, attention now turns to their final warm-up match against Costa Rica before heading to Missouri and beginning their preparations for the World Cup.While police have repeatedly stressed that Saturday’s shooting was not related to the event, the incident was a reminder of the widespread security operations surrounding an event expected to draw millions of visitors from the United States, Canada and Mexico in the coming weeks.
