England are in advanced talks to stage a behind-closed-doors friendly with MLS side Sporting Kansas City in Kansas City between their World Cup opener against Croatia and the June 23 group match with Ghana — a pragmatic plan to give fringe players match minutes, manage workloads after the Croatia test and fast-track recent call-up Trevoh Chalobah after Tino Livramento’s injury.
England weigh behind-closed-doors friendly with Sporting Kansas City
England are exploring a practice match against Sporting Kansas City to take place in the window between their World Cup opener with Croatia and their June 23 group game against Ghana in Boston. Discussions are ongoing and the fixture is not finalised; the decision will hinge on how the Croatia game unfolds and the squad’s recovery needs.
Why the friendly is being considered
A closed-door match offers controlled minutes for players who either don’t feature against Croatia or need a tune-up. It’s a low-risk way to keep squad members sharp, protect key starters, and evaluate tactical tweaks without public scrutiny. For a tournament where margins are slim, maintaining match rhythm across the entire 23–26 player pool is vital.
Squad implications: Chalobah, Livramento and selection
Recent call-up Trevoh Chalobah, 26, is a clear beneficiary; he was added to the squad as a replacement for the injured Tino Livramento. A practice game would give Chalobah and other fringe players a platform to stake a claim. For the coaching staff, it’s an opportunity to assess combinations and manage minutes without jeopardising competitive fixtures.
Training base and local conditions
England’s tournament base is in Kansas City, with daily training sessions at Swope Soccer Village. The camp has already faced extreme weather disruptions, including a recent tornado alert that forced players to seek shelter. A local closed-door match would minimise travel and logistical strain while keeping the group together.
What this means for World Cup preparations
If confirmed, the friendly would be a pragmatic addition to England’s World Cup routine: it balances match sharpness against fatigue and injury risk. The move signals an emphasis on squad depth and readiness rather than headline-grabbing tune-ups. The coaching staff will weigh short-term benefits of extra minutes against the need to protect players ahead of the must-win tournament fixtures.
Next steps
Expect a final decision only after the Croatia opener and a fitness review.
Ex-Monaco captain Tristan Muyumba on how young Mbappé swapped showy wing play for ruthless finishing
If the game goes ahead, it will be used primarily for fringe players and tactical fine-tuning; if not, England will likely rely on intensive training sessions at Swope Soccer Village to maintain form and cohesion.
The Sun
