Nine people were injured after gunfire erupted in the early hours of the morning near a neighbourhood in Kansas City, Missouri, not far from the training base set to be used by the England national football team during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Police said officers responded around 4 a.m. local time to reports of gunfire in the 7900 block of Troost Avenue. At the scene, authorities found three women suffering from gunshot wounds amid a crowd that was dispersing. Six additional adults later arrived at nearby hospitals with injuries linked to the same incident, bringing the total number of injured to nine.
No arrests have been made, and investigators are still working to determine what led to the shooting or whether any of the victims were specifically targeted. Police have not yet released details about potential suspects.
A spokesperson for the Kansas City Police Department described the scene as “chaotic” when officers arrived, noting that multiple individuals had already fled the area. Authorities are appealing for witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
The incident occurred just a short drive from Swope Soccer Village, a major sports complex that will serve as England’s official training base during the 2026 World Cup, which begins on June 13 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. At the time of the shooting, however, the England squad was understood to be in Florida as part of their pre-tournament preparations for an international friendly.
While the English Football Association has not publicly commented on the incident, the proximity of the violence to their future base has already intensified discussions around player and fan safety ahead of the expanded 48-team tournament.
Kansas City is one of several U.S. host cities preparing for an influx of international visitors next year. The shooting is likely to renew scrutiny of security planning, particularly as concerns over gun violence in the United States continue to be raised by visiting teams and supporters.
Local officials have previously said that extensive security measures will be in place during the tournament, including coordinated law enforcement efforts across venues, training sites, and fan zones. However, incidents such as Sunday’s shooting underline the challenges authorities face in ensuring safety in and around major event locations.
As investigations continue, police have urged anyone with information to come forward. The condition of the injured victims has not yet been fully disclosed, and no motive has been confirmed.
With less than a year until the world’s biggest football tournament arrives in North America, the incident adds a stark reminder of the broader security questions surrounding preparations for the 2026 World Cup.