Hundreds of Americans who live near England's World Cup headquarters cheer on Three Lions

Hundreds of Americans who live near England's World Cup headquarters cheer on Three Lions The Mirror has been given access to England's headquarters for their World Cup campaign - and Americans living near the 54-room, £260-a-night property in Prairie Village, near Kansas, are backing our nation The Mirror visited England's World Cup HQ today and found Americans ready to cheer the team to glory. Thomas Tuchel's side were getting ready to take on Costa Rica before Mexico kick off the biggest tournament in history tomorrow. They play the opening match of 2026 against South Africa. Around seven million fans from around the globe are expected to travel to the three host countries - Mexico, the US and Canada. Millions of expat fans will follow the Three Lions, as well as the good folk of Kansas City. Hundreds of fans in our 'hometown' for the tournament are going to be cheering on England - and they are just a stone's throw from the team hotel. In the Prairie Village, just outside the city, they already have the flags out for the team. The 26-man squad and backroom staff will be based at the Inn at Meadowbrook in the village. The Football Association has taken over the 54-room, £260-a-night property, which is set in its own beautiful grounds and parkland. Joggers and young mums were out and about as usual yesterday while a swarm of armed police manned checkpoints. Delivery drivers went back and forth as the hotel prepared to welcome captain Harry Kane. Judi and Elvin Knight, who live in a stunning mansion right next to the hotel, had the Union flags out ready. They are set to meet the team at a cocktail reception for locals. Judi, a proud mum-of-two and grandma, wore the England shirt she was given for Mother's Day. "We are so excited to have the team here," she said. There is a group of people who live here who are all extremely close and the Priory Village community will all be behind England. "It is great that they chose to come here, out of all the places that they could have chosen in the US. "They will get a really warm welcome." Hubby Elvin, also 81, keen NFL fan who follows the Kansas City Chiefs, admitted that he did not know that much about 'soccer'. But he added: "It is a real growth sport here in the US. "You see many kids playing it in the age group from around eight to 12 years old. That is why the World Cup is going to be so big in the US." A no-fly zone will be enforced to thwart drone attacks. Armed police, security officers and private security guards were in place on the complex's perimeter. Meadowbrook Estate bosses wrote to the 500 local residents to outline the "three-tiered security plan for the Inn". It stated: "Fifa and the US Department of Homeland Security will secure the perimeter of The Inn, with the Prairie Village Police Department having an enhanced presence at the park. There is internal security. "There will be a visible presence to protect both the visiting group and our neighbourhood from outside disruptions." Security will be tighter than ever amid concerns over recent gun crime incidents in Kansas and potential terror threats. Police will escort England's team coach between the hotel and the nearby Swope Soccer Village training ground. The Mirror met the first England fans in Kansas City yesterday: two diehard Newcastle fans, Stephen and Zena Willis, from Swarland in Northumberland. Retired Royal Regiment of Fusiliers veteran Stephen, 53, and his wife Zena, 61, were both in their Toon tops as they took in the signs stating that it was about to become 'The Home of England', with a Union flag waving alongside the Stars and Stripes. Hundreds of children from mini-leagues were out nearby for a kickabout in the sunshine. England will hope the name of their training base is a good omen - it is called 'Victory Field'. Stephen told the Mirror: "We did not know that England were going to be based here when we booked. But we just had to come and have a look around. We are from Northumberland so we are big Dan Burn fans. We've got the Newcastle United shirts on because we love them. "But we love England as well." Security officials prevented the Mirror from taking photos of the training complex yesterday, stating that it was forbidden. All 48 teams will be on alert for 'spying'. The English game was rocked when Southampton were banned from the Championship play-off final after a snooper watched rival Middlesbrough train. Some national teams have used spies at big tournaments and vigilance will be high at key areas in the US, Canada and Mexico. Police here and in the ten other US cities hosting World Cup games will use anti-drone guns to jam or take control of hostile flying threats. Hexacopter drones would then net the incoming device and carry it away for safe disposal.