Harry Kane will be making his third bid for the World Cup title with England at the 2026 World Cup. Ahead of the opening match against Croatia, the Bayern captain has spoken out in no uncertain terms—making it clear just how much this tournament means to him.
For the FC Bayern striker, it’s a mission with a clear message. On Instagram, Kane addressed English fans shortly before the World Cup kicked off and left no doubt about how much this tournament drives him: “I can’t wait to lead our team in another World Cup! I’m looking forward to taking the field with the guys tomorrow!” wrote the 32-year-old.
This is the Bayern captain’s third World Cup—and, ironically, a major triumph with the national team is still eluding him. Twice Kane has left the tournament without a title; twice, he fell just short of the big prize. At 32, this World Cup could be his last realistic chance at it.
The opener is sure to be explosive: England’s first match in Dallas pits them against Croatia—the very opponent that defeated the Three Lions 2–1 in extra time during the 2018 World Cup semifinals. It’s a defeat that still lingers in England to this day. Now comes the chance for revenge: “I know we’ll have incredible support out here and back home!” Kane wrote, addressing the fans.
Tuchel and Kane—a special connection
Under national team coach Thomas Tuchel, things are finally set to change at the World Cup. The two share a common history: In the summer of 2023, Tuchel played a key role in convincing Kane to make the move from Tottenham Hotspur to FC Bayern. Since then, the striker has found new momentum in Munich and has won almost everything at the club level—except for the Champions League.
However, England’s reliance on the Bayern captain is also viewed critically. Eurosport described this situation as “dangerous.” Tuchel himself recently emphasized, however, that Kane is “in top form”—the two are said to have a warm and trusting relationship. Alongside Kane, Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham are expected to lead the offense, though both could even start on the bench.
Kane sent out one final rallying cry on Instagram: “We’re going to give it everything we’ve got!”
Whether England can turn the weight of expectations into a triumph this time around will be decided starting with the opener in Dallas.