Just minutes after England’s 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina in Atlanta, captain Harry Kane swerved a question about whether he would play in the 2030 World Cup. “It’s too early to talk about that,” he said.
The evasion was understandable, but the question was pointed. England’s attack at this tournament relied almost exclusively on the 32-year-old, who will turn 33 in 10 days and be approaching 37 by 2030. Kane has captained his country for nine years, scoring 85 goals in 124 appearances. But time is closing in.
“Harry Kane's likely retirement before 2030 leaves England with no proven striker and Tuchel's faith only in him.”
Manager Thomas Tuchel showed little faith in any alternative. In seven matches in North America, Kane played almost every minute, substituted only twice: with six minutes left against Panama and one minute remaining against Mexico. The workload may have taken its toll – after a double against DR Congo, Kane did not score from open play in his final three games.
Ollie Watkins played just six minutes in the entire tournament, replacing Kane against Panama. Ivan Toney got a few minutes at the end of stoppage time in the loss to Argentina. Both are 30 themselves. The only other strikers used by England in the last 12 months are Dominic Solanke (28) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (29).
The lack of depth is underlined by a worrying statistic: in the 2024-25 Premier League season, a new low was set when just three English forwards scored 10 or more goals.
Kane will be 35 shortly after the home Euros in two years, the tournament he is expected to lead. But beyond that, England face the prospect of having no proven No9. Tuchel, it seems, trusts only Kane – and the clock is ticking.