The rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs is fierce. And England forward Ollie Watkins experienced it first hand after wearing a Cowboys jersey during his first week in Kansas City.

Before England's World Cup campaign had fully settled in, Watkins learned about Kansas City's strong support for its NFL team. He shared the story during a press conference as England prepared for its next group-stage match, per sports journalist Matt Foster via X.

"I wore a Dallas Cowboys jersey into Kansas the other day, and I was with my family, and a guy said to me, 'You can't wear that around here'," Watkins said on Sunday. "So yeah, I won't be wearing that again."

The lighthearted exchange offered a glimpse into Kansas City's connection to the NFL and the hometown Chiefs, whose success has only intensified local pride.

While Watkins admitted he does not know much about American football, he said the message from fans was impossible to miss.

That experience came as England settled into life in the Kansas City area during the World Cup. The Three Lions opened their Group L campaign with a 4-2 win over Croatia and have been settling into life in the metro area ahead of their next match.

As part of their preparations, England defeated Sporting Kansas City 5-1 on Friday. Manager Thomas Tuchel rotated his squad before their upcoming clash with Ghana on June 23. Watkins scored, but it was striker Ivan Toney who stole the show with a hat-trick.

Beyond the friendly warning about his Cowboys jersey, Watkins has discovered a different side of Kansas City that has made his World Cup experience even more valuable.

Kansas City leaves a lasting impression on Ollie Watkins

Kansas City offers a warm welcome to England forward Ollie Watkins during his stay in the metro area for the FIFA World Cup. Watkins' first week in the city has left a lasting impression beyond the football field.

"The hospitality has been amazing, and I felt like everyone's so friendly over here," Watkins said.

England has set up its base camp in the Kansas City area, training at Swope Soccer Village in Missouri while staying at the Inn at Meadowbrook in nearby Prairie Village, Kansas.

As he continues to settle into life in Kansas City, Watkins is also looking forward to experiencing one of the region's most cherished traditions: barbecue.

"I need to check out, I think, Joe's Bar-B-Que as well, I think, at some point," the Brit said.

Trying Kansas City's famous barbecue is a must for many visitors, and Watkins wants to experience it while he is in town. After England's win over Croatia in its opening World Cup match, the forward is enjoying both the tournament and his time in Kansas City.

How do you think England will fare against Ghana in the group-stage? Let us know!

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Written by

Shreya Mishra

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit