England's first evening at their World Cup training base in Kansas City was disrupted by extreme weather, with a 'deadly' tornado warning issued. The Three Lions had arrived at Swope Soccer Village in Missouri on Saturday lunchtime after a pre-tournament stay in Florida.
The squad, led by Thomas Tuchel, took part in a community training session in searing temperatures before being forced to take shelter inside their hotel, The Inn at Meadowbrook in Prairie Village, due to a heavy thunderstorm. The National Weather Service issued an emergency alert warning of 'destructive 80 mph winds' and urged people to move to interior rooms on the lowest floor.
Although a tornado did not materialise in the area, thundery downpours and lightning were reported. Inclement weather is expected to affect several World Cup matches, with US storm protocol requiring delays or suspensions if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius.
England's final warm-up friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday was already delayed by an hour due to thunderstorms. The team opens their World Cup campaign against Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 14.
