‘One of the best opportunities we will have to win it’ – Kane ahead of World Cup opener | OneFootball

Harry Kane believes this is one of the best opportunities England have to win the World Cup, as he prepares to lead his country out in opener against Croatia.

England kick off their Group L campaign in Dallas on Wednesday against the side who denied them an opportunity of a World Cup final in 2018.

The England captain believes he is more ready than he has ever been, coming off a season where he scored 61 goals in 51 games for Bayern Munich.

“From a personal point of view, I am coming off the best season I’ve ever had,” Kane said. “I scored a lot more goals than in any other previous season.

“Also, physically and mentally. The way the season ended for me was obviously a great way to win the league and the German Cup final – to score the three goals there just gave me even more momentum coming into the camp.”

“For your career you need a lot of things to go your way and fall into place at the right time and I feel like it has for this tournament.”

“For sure it’s one of the best opportunities we will have as a team to win it.”

Kane insisted the togetherness of the team is as good as it has ever been, aided by golf, enjoying time by the pool, balanced with the seriousness of training at England’s base camp in Kansas City.

For the 32-year-old striker, this tournament represents another opportunity for England, building on Gareth Southgate’s work under new manager Thomas Tuchel.

Under Southgate, Kane played a part in England reaching the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and two European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024 – something that has given England fans more hope than ever before.

“Part of every major tournament is for the fans to be excited and for the fans to enjoy the summer. I remember being in the arena, singing those songs, watching the games, believing it was our time to win a World Cup.

“So I want the fans to have that excitement, whether they’re here or back home.”

In another personal milestone, when Kane leads the team out tomorrow in Dallas, it will be his 115th cap for England, a record to match David Beckham.

“To reach the same level of caps as Beckham is a great thing for me,” Kane added. Beckham was a big idol of mine growing up, watching him as England captain and hoping and dreaming one day I would be in the same England shirt as him, so that will be a great emotion. 

“Throughout my whole career it’s been about just being the best I can be, improving every moment, improving every season, and I think that’s the only mindset to have. “At the highest level you want to be as consistent as what I’ve been, and like some o

f the other players I’ve touched on earlier – Ronaldo, Messi, Modric, all these players.

“Being able to do it for 20 plus years is what truly separates the good players from the great players, so I’m extremely proud of being here again, being in my sixth tournament, and being in the shape that I’m in as well. 

“Maybe when I’m retired in ten years or so I might look back and really take everything in, what I’ve been able to do, but right now it’s just living the moment, enjoying the moment, and taking it head on – and that starts tomorrow as well.”