Harry Kane has admitted it is 'too early to say' whether he will play at another World Cup, casting a shadow over England’s bronze-medal match against France on Saturday.
The England captain was speaking after the Three Lions’ 'soul-crushing' semi-final defeat to Argentina at Atlanta Stadium – a loss that ended their 2026 campaign and left the 32-year-old Bayern Munich striker unsure about carrying on to the tournament’s 100th anniversary in 2030.
“Kane unsure if he'll play at next World Cup after 'soul-crushing' semi-final defeat; England face France for bronze.”
Kane, who won the Golden Boot in 2018 and scored six goals this summer, will be 36 by the next World Cup. While he is expected to lead the line at the home European Championship in 2028, the following tournament may prove a step too far for the former Tottenham forward.
The immediate task is a bronze final against France, a game that offers a chance to salvage some pride. But the longer-term question – who replaces Kane? – is already pressing.
Thomas Tuchel’s reluctance to use other strikers has exposed a drop in quality behind his captain. Ollie Watkins played just six minutes in England’s dead-rubber against Panama, while Ivan Toney was thrown on in desperation in the dying embers against Argentina. Both will be 34 come 2030.
Among younger contenders, Liam Delap – who scored 12 Premier League goals for a relegated Ipswich side in 2024 and earned a move to Chelsea – has struggled to find his feet. Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were used by Tuchel in the past year but neither made the squad for North America.
One bold option would be Jude Bellingham. England’s 'shining light' this summer flourished higher up the pitch at Real Madrid, notching 23 goals and 13 assists in his maiden campaign, but deploying him up front would come at the expense of his midfield influence.
As England step out for the bronze final, they do so knowing that the era of Harry Kane at a World Cup may already be drawing to a close.