Rio Ngumoha‘s time with the England World Cup squad has come to an end, just as the team have had football boots and training equipment stolen.
When Ngumoha was called up to train with Thomas Tuchel’s squad ahead of the World Cup, he was supposed to just make up the numbers.
However, he has certainly had a far greater impact than expected after winning player of the match on his debut against New Zealand and scoring a ‘breathtaking’ goal in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
Having spent the last two weeks in the sweltering heat of the southern US states, Ngumoha can now head off on holiday before returning to Liverpool for pre-season in July.
The England X account posted a photo of Ngumoha and the three other youngsters who have helped the senior squad prepare, saying: “An important part of our preparations so far.
An important part of our preparations so far ?
Thanks to Alex Scott, Ethan Nwaneri, Rio Ngumoha and Josh King who depart at the conclusion of our camp in Florida ? pic.twitter.com/yZtwx0HDJC
— England (@England) June 12, 2026
“Thanks to Alex Scott, Ethan Nwaneri, Rio Ngumoha and Josh King who depart at the conclusion of our camp in Florida.”
Despite making a strong impression over the last fortnight, Ngumoha can’t be called up to the World Cup squad, even if there is an injury to a first-team player.
This is because he was not included on Tuchel’s provisional 55-man list. Of the four youngsters mentioned, Scott is the only one who was listed.
Brighton ‘keeper Jason Steele is also in North America, helping the goalkeeping group train in the heat.
England football boots are stolen!
England goalkeepers Jason Steele (left), Jordan Pickford and Dean Henderson (right) during a training session at Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Picture date: Friday June 5, 2026.
Some surprising news came out of the England camp on Saturday morning as it was revealed by the Mail that the team’s training base had been the victim of a burglary.
“The players’ match boots were stolen from a van before their first training session in Kansas City,” journalist Craig Hope reported.
“The theft took place while the load was en route from West Palm Beach in Florida to England’s Swope Soccer Village base in Missouri, where they will call home for the next three weeks at least.
“Thomas Tuchel’s men are due to train here for the first time on Saturday afternoon, but staff are now scrambling to determine what has been taken and what is available to them.
England's Rio Ngumoha during the international friendly match at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Picture date: Saturday June 6, 2026.
“Sources say only one football was left among the cargo that remained, while there are fears that the boots belonging to the likes of Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have also gone.
“It is understood an arrest has been made.”
While it certainly isn’t ideal to happen in the build-up to their first match, against Croatia on Wednesday, the majority of the kit that went missing has now been recovered, report Sky Sports.