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Two Texas brothers have been charged in connection with the alleged theft of approximately $18,000 worth of soccer gear and memorabilia belonging to England's national soccer team.
Mustafa Salik and Erfan Kamal each face one count of receiving stolen property, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson, who announced the charges on June 13.
In a statement, Johnson said the county would not tolerate any criminal activity targeting World Cup visitors or international teams competing in the region. She praised the swift response from Kansas City police and prosecutors, saying charges were filed quickly and that the office remains committed to holding those responsible accountable.
According to authorities, the two brothers work as truck drivers and had picked up a shipment of equipment in Florida. They were transporting the items to Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of logistics tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup preparations.
Kansas City police were alerted to the alleged theft on June 12 after a team employee noticed missing items from a tractor trailer. The employee requested to inspect the cab of the truck, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
The driver, identified as Kamal, allegedly refused the request and told the employee there were only two options, either the cab would be searched or police would be called.
Authorities say Kamal later retrieved items from inside the truck before driving away with Salik. The affidavit states that the missing goods included four pairs of cleats, goalkeeper gloves, a World Cup ball, signed jerseys, training apparel, electronics, two stuffed animals, and a Lego set of Nike Air shoes.
Investigators also noted that the suspects claimed they had permission to take the items, though law enforcement disputes that account.
The alleged theft occurred shortly before England's team charter flight arrived in Kansas City from Florida, where the squad had been undergoing pre-tournament training, according to ESPN.
Both Salik and Kamal have been given a $75,000 bond as the case proceeds.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas commended law enforcement and prosecutors for their handling of the case, noting that the investigation spanned multiple states and resulted in the recovery of stolen goods. He added that city officials remain committed to ensuring safety and accountability during major international events.
The case is now set to proceed through the legal system as authorities continue their investigation into how the equipment was handled during transport.
