(foto: Getty Images)
England's World Cup preparations were disrupted by a tornado alert in Kansas City, adding to an already chaotic start to the tournament for Thomas Tuchel's squad.
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England have yet to play a match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but their tournament has already taken an unexpected turn.
Thomas Tuchel's squad were forced to take shelter on Saturday evening after authorities issued warnings about severe storms and a possible tornado near the team's base in Kansas City.
Players and staff received instructions to remain indoors and stay away from windows as weather conditions rapidly deteriorated.
The dramatic episode came only days after another problem affected the England camp, when sports equipment, including football boots, was reportedly stolen.
For England, it has been a turbulent start both on and off the pitch.
The US National Weather Service initially warned of severe thunderstorms capable of producing winds of up to 130 km/h.
Shortly afterward, the alert level was increased as meteorologists identified a potential tornado threat in the region.
Particular concern focused on areas of Missouri, where England have been training since arriving for the tournament.
According to local reports, a tornado was later spotted in Missouri, although it did not directly strike the area where the England squad was staying.
The storm nevertheless caused power outages and disruption across several communities.
The seriousness of the situation was reflected by American broadcaster Fox, which interrupted its sports coverage during the World Cup match between Scotland and Haiti to provide weather updates.
Despite the alarming circumstances, England's preparations have not been significantly affected.
As conditions improved later in the evening, team officials confirmed there were no immediate plans to alter the training schedule.
The squad is expected to continue preparations as normal before traveling to Dallas for its opening Group L clash against Croatia on Tuesday.
Some England supporters have reacted to the situation with humor.
Between reports of stolen equipment and emergency weather warnings, social media quickly filled with jokes suggesting the team had somehow brought a little piece of home with them to North America.
Tuchel, however, will be hoping the disruptions end there.
England enter the tournament with significant expectations and view the opening match against Croatia as one of the key fixtures of the group stage.
The incident also highlights a growing concern surrounding major tournaments in North America.
Extreme weather caused several disruptions during the Club World Cup, and organizers of the 2026 World Cup are expected to face similar challenges as the competition progresses across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
For England, the focus now returns to football. After a dramatic night off the field, the Three Lions will hope for a calmer experience once the action begins on it.