England’s national team is preparing for its World Cup opening match against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas. While the team is based at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri, the move from their Florida pre-training base was marked by a theft of equipment from their vehicles on Friday night. The English Football Association confirmed the incident, and the Kansas City Police Department reported that two people have been detained in connection with the theft. Ahead of the tournament, BBC Sport pundits have shared their projected starting lineups for the Three Lions. The pundits discussed various options for the defensive line, including Manchester City’s Marc Guehi and John Stones, as well as Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa. While some pundits favored Stones for his ability to dictate play, others suggested a pairing of Guehi and Konsa. For the midfield, the pundits highlighted Jude Bellingham as a potential starter in the number 10 shirt, noting his status as a “big game player,” while also considering Morgan Rogers. Other selections included Jordan Pickford as goalkeeper, Reece James at right-back (if fit), Nico O’Reilly at left-back, and Harry Kane as the primary striker. In a separate soccer event, the Grannies International Football Tournament (GIFT) recently concluded in Tzaneen, South Africa. The tournament featured teams from seven countries, including the United States, France, Togo, Kenya, and Mozambique. The event was organized by local philanthropist Beka Ntsanwisi to help local women improve their health. The competition featured players aged 50 and older, with some participants, such as 78-year-old Sue “Clip” Clippinger of the New England Breakers, noting they have improved their skills since their 40s. Meanwhile, the United States men’s team secured a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup opener. Folarin Balogun, who chose to represent the U.S. Over England, scored two goals during the match, becoming the first American to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930. Other notable performances included Christian Pulisic and a goal by Gio Reyna. The U.S. Will next travel to Seattle to face Australia.