England’s epic World Cup win means more soccer in KC (and basketball and Wolf)
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- England beat Mexico 3-2 in a World Cup Round of 16 match at Estadio de Azteca.
- England will face Norway in a World Cup quarterfinal in Miami on Saturday.
- Players in Prairie Village favor indoor activities like basketball, Uno during downtime.
The heatwave that roasted Kansas City like chestnuts over an open fire has passed, but it left a mark on visitors here for the World Cup.
But it was hot even before this recent stretch, and winger Noni Madueke has not fancied so much as a stroll around the lakes at Meadowbrook Park.
“I’ve not been out in Kansas,” he said last week.
Since arriving in Kansas City on June 13, Ollie Watkins and his England teammates golfed while Harry Kane caught a Royals game and there was an outdoor team yoga session.
But Madueke has no interest.
“It’s so hot outside, inside is air-conditioned,” he said. ”So I’d rather stay inside and focus on the next session.”
Madueke does have to go outside for training at Swope Soccer Village. And that will continue as England won an epic 3-2 match over Mexico on Sunday night in the Round of 16 at Estadio de Azteca.
England will face Norway on Saturday in a quarterfinal in Miami. The focus will be soccer this week, but the team likely will look for some other pursuits away from the pitch, too.
And indoor activities have suited Madueke here in Kansas City.
“We play games for sure,” Madueke said. “We’re very competitive, naturally, so we’re always playing games, whether that’s basketball, Uno, dice, Wolf. So we find time to enjoy with each other and time to be by ourselves and to be very focused.
Wolf is the game “One Night Ultimate Werewolf” and involves each player having a secret identity from the others; they try to deduce who is the werewolf. It’s a fun and quick game to play. That’s a game they started playing at the 2024 European Championships, according to the Sun.
Madueke was asked about basketball, and which of the “Three Lions” is the squad’s Michael Jordan.
“I’m the best,” Madueke said confidently. “Every man for themselves. We do like shooting compositions, and I win all the time.”
The side activities in Prairie Village are essential to the team, which is three wins from its first World Cup championship in 60 years.
“It’s important to get a balance of when you’re around the boys off the pitch and having a laugh and a joke,” Madueke said. “And knowing when you need to be by yourself and just have that time for yourself, recovery or just stay in your room and chilling, speaking to friends and family.”
This story was originally published July 6, 2026 at 9:01 AM.
