Reports: England might play friendly vs. Sporting KC on Thursday

Field Level Media|published: Wed 17th June, 01:03 2026

June 10, 2026; Orlando, Florida, U.S.; England manager Thomas Tuchel. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Sporting Kansas City might be called off the bench for a mid-World Cup friendly match against England, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday.

England play their World Cup opener on Wednesday against Croatia in Arlington, Texas. The Three Lions will then head back to their training base in Kansas City, Mo., and they are seeking an opponent for a closed-door Thursday scrimmage, England coach Thomas Tuchel said.

Sporting KC are in talks with England officials about serving as the opponent, according to ESPN, which noted that a deal is not finalized.

Last Thursday, England drafted USL Championship squad Miami FC for a closed-door friendly in West Palm Beach, Fla., a contest the Three Lions won 6-0. A day before that, England registered a 3-0 victory over Costa Rica during a friendly in Orlando.

"It is true that we try to play an in-house match after the match against Croatia," Tuchel said Tuesday, according to ESPN. "It is simply to use the time.

"We have many days in between the matches and we can give the players who have not played so many minutes (Wednesday) just a load and an actual match load and not only from training.

"We did this after the match against Costa Rica and I think we will do it one last time on the day after the Croatia game."

England's second match in Group L is scheduled for June 23 against Ghana in Foxborough, Mass. The Three Lions conclude group play on June 27 against Panama in East Rutherford, N.J.

England, who went 8-0-0 in World Cup qualifying, enter the tournament as the third betting favorite behind France and Spain.

Sporting Kansas City are off to a miserable start in MLS play this season, sitting in last place in the Western Conference with a 3-9-2 record and 11 points.

--Field Level Media