The question hung in the Atlanta air just minutes after England's 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina: will Harry Kane still be around for the 2030 World Cup? "It's too early to talk about that," the England captain swerved, but the implications were clear. Kane will be approaching his 37th birthday by then, and with no obvious heir, England may soon face a false nine future.
Kane has been the irreplaceable focal point under Thomas Tuchel. In seven World Cup matches, he played almost every minute, substituted only twice: with six minutes left against Panama and one minute remaining in the last-16 tie with Mexico. The workload may have taken its toll — after scoring a double against DR Congo in the last 32, he failed to score from open play in the next three games.
“Kane's workload and lack of successors raise fears England may resort to a false nine after his retirement.”
Yet Tuchel's alternatives are thin. Ollie Watkins played just six minutes all tournament, replacing Kane against Panama, while Ivan Toney got a few minutes at the end of stoppage time in the Argentina loss. Both are 30. The only other strikers used by England in the last 12 months are Dominic Solanke (28) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (29). In 2024-25, a new Premier League record low was set: just three English forwards scored 10 or more goals.
Kane, who has 85 goals in 124 appearances since Gareth Southgate gave him the armband nine years ago, will be 33 in 10 days, turning 35 shortly after the home Euros in two years. Realistically, Saturday's third-placed play-off against France in Miami for the bronze medal may be his final World Cup act.
Liam Delap was tipped for the squad before a disappointing first season with Chelsea, but did not make the cut. Tuchel's reluctance to look beyond Kane begs an uncomfortable question: does he only trust his captain? With Kane's international career winding down and no successor in sight, England's attack could soon be reimagined — without a recognised centre-forward at all.
