England are banking on Harry Kane at the World Cup

Harry Kane is one of the world's most prominent football stars at the moment, having established himself as a strong contender for the title of best player in the world, thanks to an exceptional season in which he delivered unprecedented goal-scoring performances with Bayern Munich in 2025-2026. This comes at a time when the debate is renewed about the English star's ability to translate his individual brilliance into collective success, leading his national team to a World Cup victory and ending a long wait of 60 years since the "Three Lions" last major title . Despite the history of disappointments that has plagued the English national team in major tournaments, a sense of relative optimism prevails among fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup, given the team's talented roster, most notably its captain, Harry Kane, who enters the tournament at the peak of his technical and physical form, perhaps even at the best stage of his career . Kane boasts an impressive international record despite not winning any titles with England in his previous World Cup and European Championship appearances. He has participated in two World Cups and three European Championships, consistently being one of the team's key attacking players. However, he appears to be entering the next edition with greater confidence, bolstered by his impressive goal-scoring record at club level . Since his move to Bayern Munich in 2023, Kane has gradually combined individual brilliance with team titles, winning several domestic trophies with the German club and confirming his ability to make an impact at the highest level, beyond his long stint with Tottenham Hotspur . Kane had an exceptional 2025-2026 season, scoring 61 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions, achieving the best goal tally of his career and far surpassing the other stars in Europe's top five leagues. He even outscored Frenchman Kylian Mbappé, who came in second with 42 goals, further cementing his dominance in terms of statistics on the European continent . This wasn't just a numerical achievement; it was also one of the highest goal-scoring rates in modern football history for a single season, second only to Cristiano Ronaldo's feat with Real Madrid. Furthermore, Kane achieved his tally in fewer matches, reflecting his exceptional finishing ability . Kane is a complete striker, whose role extends beyond simply scoring goals. He's also a playmaker, contributing to the build-up of attacks. This is evident in his effective involvement outside the penalty area and his high rate of creating chances for his teammates, making him a pivotal element in his team's style of play . Internationally, Kane boasts a strong World Cup record, having scored eight goals across the 2018 and 2022 editions, making him one of England's all-time top scorers in the tournament. He's also close to equaling or breaking his country's World Cup record, giving him added motivation ahead of the next tournament . As for the England national team as a whole, Kane tops the all-time scoring charts with 79 goals, surpassing legendary figures like Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton, and he continues to improve on this record with each international appearance .Despite some difficult moments, most notably missing a penalty against France in the 2022 World Cup, Kane has proven his ability to handle pressure. He has continued to score penalties at an exceptionally high rate for his club, confirming his status as one of the most consistent players in crucial situations . With the 2026 World Cup approaching, Harry Kane remains one of England's most important assets and a key player in their quest to achieve a long-awaited historic milestone, at a time when expectations are high and ambitions are greater than ever.