By Blake Aerni
More than 4,000 miles from England, Kansas City is a long way from home for the Three Lions. Yet, just days into their stay ahead of the World Cup, members of England’s national team say the city already feels familiar.
“We feel at home here,” Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka said.
The warm impression began almost immediately after England touched down in Kansas City. A police escort directed the team bus to Prairie Village, Kansas, where the team will be based for the duration of the tournament. Locals lined the route of the team’s arrival at the Inn at Meadowbrook, waving flags, holding signs and cheering for the team in search of its second World Cup title.
The welcome continued as they entered the hotel. Kansas City Chiefs cheerleaders lined the entryway, while KC Wolf greeted players as they stepped off the bus and into their temporary home for the tournament.
Throughout Prairie Village, signs of England’s presence are visible. Yard signs supporting the Three Lions have appeared across the community, as local residents have embraced the opportunity to host one of the world’s most recognizable national teams during the World Cup.
In true Midwest fashion, the warm welcome continued.
Hours after the team’s arrival in Prairie Village, they headed straight to their training site at Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri for the first training in the Heartland. Hundreds of locals gathered in the stands to welcome one of the tournament favorites to Kansas City.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the reception we got,” Saka said with a smile, “we feel very welcomed here.”
England players stayed long after training ended, with fan favorites like Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice among those signing autographs and taking photos with fans. Locals waited anxiously for their turn, sharing smiles, jokes and words of encouragement as the squad made its way off the field.
Children along the sideline reacted with excitement as players made their way through, with comments such as “this is the coolest day of my life” and “I’m never washing this hand again” heard as high-fives and autographs made their way down the line.
The connection between the players and fans has been matched by what England has found behind the scenes.
The team’s hotel in Prairie Village, along with its training setup at Swope Soccer Village, has provided an environment that gives England confidence.
“The facilities, the hotel… I couldn’t speak highly enough of the whole thing,” one of England’s most experienced players, Jordan Henderson, said. “We’ve got everything we need to be able to perform.”
The team has a custom-built gym at its training facility in Swope Soccer Village, along with dedicated recovery spaces, lounge areas at its hotel, and a fully private setup designed to keep the squad focused during its stay in Kansas City.
Access to Swope Soccer Village is tightly controlled, with multiple security checkpoints in place around the facility. At the team hotel, landscaping and screening have also been used to create additional privacy for players and staff throughout the tournament.
“We don’t have any excuses,” Henderson said.
Each base camp around the United States, Mexico and Canada will have similar levels of security, but the warmth from the fans has made Kansas City special.
“The people that have welcomed us here has been so good.” Henderson said.
England youngster Nico O’Reilly admitted he was unaware of what to expect when arriving in Kansas City. The 21-year-old, making his World Cup debut, said he has been impressed by the atmosphere.
“I was a bit surprised,” O’Reilly said. “I didn’t know it was going to be an open session like this until we got here. The fans have been amazing, very loud and cheered us on. They’ve been great.”
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson said prior to the tournament the only thing he knew about Kansas City was the Chiefs.
“Apart from that, not a lot,” Dean Henderson said, “I know it’s in the center.”
The central location will be advantageous for the Three Lions as they travel to Dallas, Boston and New York/New Jersey during the group stage.
No matter where they play, England’s World Cup home remains in the Heart of America, more than 4,000 miles from home.