Kane’s fitness paramount as England face World Cup 2026 crucible
Former internationals Chris Sutton and Paul Robinson argue the Bayern Munich striker’s current form makes him a Ballon d’Or favourite and irreplaceable for England’s ambitions.
England captain Harry Kane enters the 2026 World Cup as the focal point of the national team’s ambitions, with manager Thomas Tuchel identifying his fitness as a primary concern ahead of the tournament. Kane arrives in peak form following a record-breaking season at Bayern Munich, where he scored 64 goals in 56 games to secure the Bundesliga and German Cup double. Former players Chris Sutton and Paul Robinson describe Kane as "irreplaceable," arguing that his consistency and current output make him a strong contender for the Ballon d'Or. England aim to end a 60-year wait for men’s World Cup success, having previously reached the Euro 2020 final and the 2018 World Cup semi-finals. The squad includes Ivan Toney, who has been praised for his recent 32-goal season at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League.
The 32-year-old’s availability is critical as England prepare to start their campaign against Croatia in Dallas on 17 June. Tuchel’s side were described as "toothless" in recent friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley, losses that underscored the void left by Kane. Former England striker Chris Sutton noted that the team's World Cup prospects would be viewed "more pessimistically" without him, stating that an international retirement from the captain would instantly alter the perception of England’s chances.
Kane’s current fitness and form are contrasted with his performance at Euro 2024, where he was substituted in all knockout matches and faced calls to be replaced by Ollie Watkins, despite finishing as joint top scorer with three goals. Paul Robinson asserts that Kane "wins" the Ballon d'Or this year, citing his trophy haul, goal numbers, and potential World Cup success as decisive factors. He argues that Kane’s intelligence and ability to create chances elevate him above peers like Erling Haaland, describing him as a "better all-round footballer."
Tuchel has included Ivan Toney in the squad, with former goalkeeper Paul Robinson praising the pick, noting Toney’s recent form at Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, where he scored 32 goals. Robinson highlighted that while Toney and Ollie Watkins offer different attributes, no one can replace Kane for England. He described the captain as a "talisman" and "leader" who is pivotal to everything the team does, noting that Tuchel’s system relies on Kane as a single striker.
England’s countdown to their opening World Cup game continues when they play New Zealand in a friendly at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on Saturday (21:00 BST). Kane has suffered disappointment in previous major tournaments, including Euro 2016, the 2018 World Cup semi-final, and Euro 2024. However, his remarkable consistency, having scored at least 24 goals in 11 campaigns since his breakthrough at Tottenham Hotspur, suggests the time might be right for England to overcome the barrier that has brought 60 years of pain since their last World Cup win in 1966.
