A major security scare has rocked the buildup to the World Cup after nine people were injured in a shooting just a short drive from England's tournament training base.

Police were called to reports of an incident on Troost Avenue in Kansas City at around 4 a.m. on Saturday, launching a major emergency response to the area.

Kansas City Police Department confirmed that officers had been dispatched after shots were heard being fired, arriving at the scene to find a large crowd dispersing.

Three adult females who sustained injuries at the location were immediately rushed to a local hospital by emergency services. It later emerged that a total of nine adults had gone to various local hospitals suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

No suspects are currently in custody, but law enforcement officers are continuing to heavily patrol the location as the investigation into the shooting continues.

Troost Avenue is just a four-mile drive away from the training base and team hotel that the England squad will be stationed in during the early stages of the World Cup. 

Local resident Kate Fowler, who lives a short distance from Troost Avenue, revealed that she woke up to find a bullet hole in the front of their home and a stray bullet on in their living room. She shared images of the bullet shell and the damage on Facebook. 

Kansas City recorded 138 homicides in 2025, down from a record 185 in 2023.

This week, according to KCTV5, the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners accepted a $17 million federal grant for World Cup security and safety.

As per the report, KCPD Deputy Chief Derek McCollum said: 'We knew we needed the funding, so we kept moving forward with the planning.

'We figured eventually that funding source would come through.' 

When Daily Mail Sport visited last month, mayor Quinton Lucas promised that the Three Lions would be well looked after.

'I think the threats people are under are heightened frankly when almost everybody can walk around with a firearm, particularly one of high capacity,' the Democrat said. 

'That's a very real problem. In terms of what we'll do there will be a strong law enforcement presence everywhere. 

'As for VIPs they will be the safest people in this city, in this country, not only with their own security teams but also enhanced security with help from local law enforcement.'

The incident comes just days before the England squad are set to touch down in Kansas City, having been in Palm Beach, Florida for recent World Cup preparations. 

England played against New Zealand in Tampa on Saturday afternoon, winning their first World Cup warm-up friendly 1-0 thanks to a goal from captain Harry Kane. 

Next up, they will face Costa Rica on Wednesday afternoon at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando - before eventually flying to Kansas City on June 13.

During the opening stages of the tournament, they will train at Swope Soccer Village, the home of Sporting KC's reserve team and academy.

Meanwhile, Argentina will use Sporting Kansas City's main training facility, while the Netherlands will train at the base used by the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League.