Harry Kane reveals what is powering his England World Cup mission

Feargal Brennan

Harry Kane reveals what is powering his England World Cup mission image

England eased over the line to 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification as Thomas Tuchel's team became the first European nation to secure their spot.

A routine 5-0 qualifier victory in Latvia rounded off a dominant qualification campaign in Group K to make it six wins from six for Tuchel.

The Three Lions still face two games in November, at home to Serbia and away in Albania, but plans are already in place for the trip across the Atlantic next summer.

Captain Harry Kane scored twice in Riga, as the Bayern Munich hitman continued his hot streak so far this season to move onto six goals in qualification.

Kane already has 18 scored in 10 games for his club side, with three in two for his country, and England's record goal scorer is as vital to the cause as ever.

Frustration has dogged Kane's England career in recent years, captaining Gareth Southgate's team to defeat in the finals of UEFA Euro 2020 and 2024, either side being knocked out by France in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals.

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Harry Kane admits heartbreak is powering World Cup mission

The 32-year-old was substituted in the 2024 final loss to Spain and still carries the pain of missing a penalty against France - both of which will be on his mind in the months ahead.

"I'd say that was probably the worst that I felt in any moment [the missed penalty vs. France", he said.

"To have that responsibility, you almost feel like it fell on my shoulders. I guess not being able to execute something I've been able to execute many times in my career, was the hardest part to process and take.

Harry Kane in action for England

"I don't think about it too much now. After another major tournament, you get over it and get on with it. I scored a penalty in the semifinal of the Euros which was as high pressure as you are going to get.

"In terms of that being my last memory [of a World Cup], yeah, I'm looking forward to the next World Cup to try and put that right, to try and go further. To try and lift the trophy as we all dream of doing."

England's two final losses under Southgate are the sole time the men's national side have reached a major final since winning the World Cup on home soil in 1966.

2026 World Cup news and related links

Feargal Brennan

Feargal is a content producer for The Sporting News. He has been working with TSN since the start of 2022 after stints with Reach, Amazon UK and Squawka in a nomadic career in the football media pyramid. Always with a keen eye on Arteta's 'Reds' and Kenny's Ireland 'Greens' and a 100% five-a-side penalty record.