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Nine people were injured in a shooting near England’s World Cup base camp in Kansas City, days before the tournament begins, with police confirming no suspects are in custody.
(Credit: AFP)
A shooting in Kansas City, Missouri, has left nine people injured just days before the FIFA World Cup kicks off, with the incident occurring only a few miles from England’s designated base camp.
According to Kansas City police, officers responded to reports of gunfire at around 4 a.m. local time on Saturday near the intersection of 79th Street and Troost Avenue. The location is approximately 4.6 miles from the Swope Soccer Village, where England are scheduled to train during the tournament.
Authorities confirmed that all nine victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries. At least three were transported to nearby hospitals, while the remaining injured individuals also received medical treatment. Police said all are expected to recover.
Importantly, officials stressed that the shooting was not connected to the World Cup.
“This did not occur near a World Cup venue or anything else World Cup-related,” Kansas City Police Department officer Alayna Gonzalez said.
The incident also took place while England’s squad and staff were away from Kansas City. Thomas Tuchel’s side are currently based in Florida and are preparing for a friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday before travelling to their World Cup headquarters.
The hotel where England will stay during the tournament is located roughly 15 miles from the scene of the shooting, significantly farther than the training complex itself.
Police have yet to make any arrests, and no suspects are currently in custody. Investigators are still working to establish what led to the gunfire.
The Football Association (FA) declined to comment on the incident.
The shooting comes as the United States prepares to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, with security remaining a major focus for organisers and local authorities.
While officials were quick to distance the incident from World Cup operations, the event has inevitably drawn attention given its proximity to England’s planned base camp.
Gun violence remains a persistent issue across the United States. According to data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive, the country recorded more than 400 mass shootings in 2025 alone.
(with Reuters inputs)
About the Author
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His…Read More
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