Read 4 minutes15 June 2026 02:00 PM IST
The England Cup went astray. Some might call it a sign – it’s been 60 years since they last won the World Cup. Signs the wait is over. Or it could be the 61st year. or 64.
But from the moment Harry Kane’s men landed at their Kansas City base in Missouri, they were struck by a series of misfortunes. Some like the news of a shooting at an unsanctioned bar across town, others like a slap in the face — like last night’s storm that jumped them when an automated warning message went off.
He gained a hate-following from Americans who were amused by the bad news that followed England in the 250th year of America’s independence.
Here’s a little preview of England’s misery that they hope will end at the World Cup. This is not the average English hinging, but there are serious obstacles.
Harry Kane to Hurricane
The Athletic reported on Sunday that the England squad had been instructed to stay at home to avoid flying. A ‘severe thunderstorm’ and cyclonic storm warning was issued on Saturday evening. The account utdreport showed a video of heavy rain and lightning from the surrounding area. According to AthleticFC, an automated warning message also rang on his phone.
Locals in Tornado Alley were disappointed to be told there was only a light Midwestern drizzle at 4 p.m. The heat had bothered them earlier.
Argentina receives similar warning from Metrología – ‘Alert de Emergency: Grave’
About Destructivos de 80 mph, told them to take ‘refugio un edificio’. in the house
Argentinians have moved their impromptu barbecue indoors.
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Shoot for real
There was a mass shooting at an unofficial bar across from Swope Soccer Village, not far from their training base, and 9 people were injured. The team was in Florida at the time, while 79th Street and Trost Avenue, where the shooting took place, were less than 5 miles away, though the injuries were not life-threatening. This was last Saturday.
Earthquake
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake hit the Florida Camp at West Palm Beach while traveling from Kansas. The epicenter was 150 kilometers off the west coast of Cuba. The tremors quickly followed on Twitter.
Bad pitches
Harry Kane was asked about the quality of the pitch in their first friendly in Tampa. Called him poor. Although he was only answering questions, the American was taunting him to grunt. In their second friendly in Orlando, it was waterlogged early on due to heavy rain. It wears off fairly efficiently and after an hour.
Kit is stolen, kit is recovered
Sky Sports had earlier reported that an England team transport van carrying team equipment such as playing kits, football boots, balls was stolen en route to Kansas City. Before the team arrived. “The FA logistics are huge and getting the kit out in advance is a complicated operation,” Sky said. The police quickly nabbed the two men for “receiving stolen property” and the police recovered 18,000 USD worth of items. Electronic devices, figurines, training cones and signed merchandise were also part of this installment. Preparations were not affected at that time.
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A chef cannot carry a knife
In the USA where guns move easily, knives are not allowed on trains. Even if it belongs to Team England’s chef. A professional chef’s knife showed up in a metal detector as the chef was stopped from boarding a train from West Palm Beach to Orlando where a friendly match against Costa Rica was scheduled. Omar Meziane, formerly a ‘performance chef’ with Manchester United and the Spice Girls, had to make alternative arrangements. He specializes in Asian and North African Mediterranean flavors.
State laws in Florida allow hand and pocket knives to be carried, but Brightline train services have other rules. The matter was settled amicably.
Yet the litany has not stopped.
Their next storm – Croatia.