Nine people sustained non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting near ​England’s World Cup base camp ‌in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday, days before the tournament is due ​to kick off.

Kansas City ​police said there were no suspects ⁠in custody and that at ​least three of the shooting ​victims were transported to local hospitals.

The incident occurred roughly four miles from where England are set to train ​at Swope Soccer Village. England have ‌not ⁠arrived in Kansas City and are due to play a friendly against Costa Rica in ​Orlando, Florida, ​on Wednesday.

A ⁠spokesperson for the FA declined to comment.

Gun violence ​is common in the ​United States, where there were more than 400 mass shootings in 2025, ⁠according ​to the Gun ​Violence Archive.

-Reuters

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Morocco concluded their preparations for the FIFA World Cup with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Norway in an international friendly on Sunday, showing flashes of attacking quality before being forced to withstand late pressure from the Europeans.

The Atlas Lions made a bright start and took the lead after just seven minutes through star forward Brahim Diaz. The Real Madrid attacker capitalised on space outside the penalty area to unleash a powerful strike that gave Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland no chance.

The goal marked Diaz’s first for Morocco since the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where he finished as the tournament’s top scorer despite the disappointment of missing a penalty in the final.

Morocco looked the more dangerous side in the opening stages and nearly doubled their advantage midway through the first half. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli connected with a teasing cross from Diaz but sent his volley narrowly off target.

The North Africans continued to threaten after the break. Diaz again tested the Norwegian defence in the 57th minute, forcing Nyland into a save before midfielder Neil El Aynaoui headed the rebound over the crossbar.

While Morocco controlled large portions of the contest, Norway gradually grew into the game and mounted sustained pressure in the closing stages. Their persistence paid off 15 minutes from then when captain Martin Odegaard finished neatly with his left foot after a clever run and assist from Oscar Bobb.

Norway almost snatched victory late on, but Kristian Thorstvedt’s header from Julian Ryerson’s free-kick drifted narrowly wide, allowing Morocco to preserve the draw.

Despite surrendering their early lead, the result offers several positives for coach Walid Regragui ahead of Morocco’s opening World Cup Group C fixture against Brazil in New York on Saturday. The Atlas Lions demonstrated their attacking threat through Diaz while also showing resilience under pressure as they defended resolutely in the closing minutes.

With Brazil, Haiti and Scotland also in Group C, Morocco will take encouragement from another competitive performance as they prepare for one of the toughest opening assignments of the tournament.

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Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman plans to use Monday’s friendly against Uzbekistan in New York as an opportunity for his first-choice line-up ​to have a proper dress rehearsal ahead of their opening ‌World Cup clash against Japan next weekend.

The rest of the Dutch squad will then play a second unofficial game against the Uzbeks straight afterwards, made up of two ​35-minute halves, Koeman announced on Sunday.

“We want to use the first ​match to make as few changes as possible. We have ⁠to wait and see if that works,” he said at a press ​conference ahead of the clash at the Ichan Stadium.

“We are going to play ​the first match largely with our starting team. It is also good for guys who are not 100% fit, who can then play in the second match. That ​is why we are playing two matches.

“We have 26 players, and everyone ​gets minutes to play. That’s what you want.”

A decision still needs to be made regarding ‌defender ⁠Jurrien Timber, who only joined the squad last Thursday after playing for Arsenal in the Champions League final on May 30.

It was Timber’s first outing since March after struggling with a groin injury, and there remains concern ​over his levels ​of fitness.

“If he ⁠trains and is fully fit, he always makes a good impression. That hasn’t been the case every day, so ​we have to make a decision,” Koeman told reporters.

“He ​participated in ⁠training, and we are going to sit down with the doctor and Jurrien at the end of Sunday afternoon to see whether he is going to start ⁠or ​not,” the coach added.

The Dutch open their ​Group F campaign against Japan in Dallas on Sunday. Uzbekistan take on Colombia on June 17 ​in Group K.

-Reuters

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