England hit by El Nino: Team training is under threat from tornadoes and thunderstorms after thieves stole World Cup boots and balls

By NICK PISA IN KANSAS CITY and DAVID OLASEINDE Published: 10:16, 13 June 2026 | Updated: 10:19, 13 June 2026 England's first training session at their World Cup base is under threat from tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. The Three Lions touch down at Kansas City's Wheeler airport later on Saturday and will then be bused to their £250 a night hotel, the Inn at Meadowbrook. From there, they will be ferried to the training pitches at Swope Soccer Village, a state-of-the-art $20 million complex half an hour away. But the session – scheduled for 5pm local time, 11pm back home - will kick off under an elevated weather warning of three out of five with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes possible. Kansas City is in the heart of what is known locally as Tornado Alley and forecasters said there was a 'significant risk' for later Saturday, adding that the storms packed the potential for damaging winds and large hail. The prediction dramatically added 'a few tornadoes are going to blast through', with winds of up to 80mph, with the freak weather sparked by temperatures hitting a humid 27C. One forecaster on local news channel KCTV said, 'If you have plans to be outside, please know where to go in the event when storms are expected to move through.' England's final warm-up game against Costa Rica in Florida earlier this week was hit by a torrential thunderstorm just before kick-off, and the start was delayed by an hour after the heavens opened. The Three Lions touch down at Kansas City's Wheeler airport later on Saturday. Pictured is Harry Kane in training Their session will kick off under an elevated weather warning of three out of five with severe thunderstorms and tornadoes possible. Pictured are Morgan Rogers (L) and Eberechi Eze (R) Three days ago, a trio of tornadoes tore through an area north of Kansas City, uprooting trees and bringing down power lines but there were no reported injuries. NOAA has officially declared that El Nino has arrived and is expected to strengthen through the winter of 2026-27, with scientists warning there is a 63 per cent chance it develops into a powerful 'Super El Nino'.  Forecasters say it could become one of the strongest events since 1950 and have drawn comparisons with the devastating 1877 El Nino, which triggered droughts, crop failures, famine and disease outbreaks that contributed to more than 50 million deaths worldwide.  Experts warn that, combined with modern climate change, the current event could produce even more extreme weather, while also altering US weather patterns by bringing wetter conditions to the South and warmer temperatures in the North. Although El Nino may reduce Atlantic hurricane activity, meteorologists stress that major storms can still occur. Peggy and Walter Barnett were interviewed by local media after their property was hit and a shed was overturned in the garden, and they were unable to make it to the storm shelter in their basement before the tornado hit. Peggy said: 'It was terrible. It was like somebody had a vacuum unit hooked up to the whole house trying to suck the insides out.' While her husband Walter added: 'Magnets were pulled off their refrigerator, and I was nearly pulled out the door. I held on to the wall to keep from going out. And I was holding tight.' Peggy (L) and Walter Barnett (R) were interviewed by local media after their property was hit and a shed was overturned in the garden, He went on: 'Good Lord taking care of me. That's all I can say.' The freak weather has been blamed on a new El Nino weather cycle, which has seen sea temperatures rising and affecting weather patterns across North and Central America with a 'super El Nino' a real possibility. Christopher Redmond, a meteorologist with the Kansas State Weather Data Library described Kansas as a 'battleground state' between experiencing warmer and drier weather like the northern part of the country or cooler and wetter weather as in the southern states. In the U.S., El Ninos can cause more intense storms with heavier rainfall in the south. Professor Adam Scaife, head of long-range forecasting at the UK Meteorological Office said: 'We do need to worry about the impacts. 'The current El Nino is… riding on top of a substantial amount of global warming. This means that the actual temperatures in affected regions could well be unprecedented, as the warming from El Nino is being topped up by climate change.' This is the latest drama for England, after they were hit by an alleged equipment theft while travelling from their Florida pre-camp to Kansas City. Match boots belonging to leading players, including fears over pairs belonging to Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, were reported missing. Official World Cup balls and other key training equipment were also allegedly stolen. Sources claimed only one football remained from the shipment. The theft reportedly occurred while equipment was being transported from West Palm Beach to England's training base at Swope Soccer Village.  Kansas City police confirmed they were investigating a possible theft from a team vehicle, and an arrest had reportedly been made. Missing items were said to include analysis equipment, Thomas Tuchel's whiteboards and massage tables.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. 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