Harry Kane's participation in the 2030 World Cup is still unclear
According to Sports.
Background
Harry Kane played a key role as England captain at this World Cup, and the semi-final loss to Argentina marked his second semi-final defeat. His future decisions could have a big impact on England's attacking line-up, especially with expectations surrounding World Cup 2026.
Why this matters
Harry Kane's comments reveal uncertainty about the future of English football and suggest that whether or not he plays at the 2030 World Cup could have a major impact on his international career. The loss was a reminder of the difficulties England have had in the semi-finals in recent years, and could have a negative impact on the team's prospects for the season.
Key Takeaways
- It is still unclear whether Harry Kane will participate in the 2030 World Cup.
- Harry Kane recalled his semi-final loss to Argentina and expressed his concerns about whether to participate in the 2030 World Cup.
- Harry Kane remains central to England's plans.
England captain Harry Kane has expressed doubts about whether his international career will continue until the 2030 World Cup following the semi-final loss to Argentina. Argentina made a dramatic comeback in this match held in Antwerp, winning 2-1 and advancing to the final against Spain. It was Kane's second World Cup semi-final loss after losing to Croatia in 2018, where they lost 2-1. Kane praised Argentina's 39-year-old captain Lionel Messi, but did not give a clear answer about his future. "It's still too early to talk about that. I care about how I feel every year," Kane said. "The national team is my pride and joy. I love this job the most. Four years is a long time, but there are players like Messi who are still playing at the highest level. I don't want to put limits on these things. At the moment it's important to deal with another tough loss." Kane scored six goals in this World Cup and has the potential to win the Golden Boot in the third place match. Argentina's Messi has assisted two goals and has eight goals. England took the lead in Wednesday's match through Anthony Gordon's goal in the 55th minute, but lost after conceding goals to Enzo Fernandes and Lotaro Martinez late in the second half. Kane said: "I have nothing to say. Everyone is disappointed. When you come away from that close range with 10 minutes left, the players are understandably devastated. We did well for 60 minutes and went ahead with the first goal, but we struggled to keep the ball and gave the opposition more chances. We have to find ways to improve in these situations. “This is probably what we have been lacking the most in the last four or five competitions,” he added.
England must now prepare to face France in the third place match. (Broadcast live at 10pm BST) England have lost the semi-finals of two of the last three men's World Cups and also lost the finals of the 2021 and 2024 European Championships. Central defender Dan Byrne recalled a game in which England were already ahead when he came on as a second-half substitute: "It's really disappointing. We executed our game plan well, but when we were 1-0 up we became too passive and conceded too many crosses and chances. When you play against a team of that quality, it costs you. I think this memory will haunt me for a long time." England showed solid performances in the previous two rounds, including beating Mexico 3-2 and Norway 2-1. “I’m not sure why we couldn’t carry that performance against Argentina, who were champions,” Byrne said. “It’s human nature to be nervous when you’re so close to getting to the final for the first time since ‘66. Argentina were confident. We defended the box well in the last few games. We thought we would do that again, but we didn’t tighten it up in the box as much as we wanted to.” Byrne added: "I'm very proud of what we did at this World Cup. No one gave us a chance, but we made a lot of good plays. I honestly thought we could do it." Like Kane, midfielder Jude Bellingham also scored six goals in the competition. “The players gave their best throughout the competition and their effort and determination will never be criticized,” Bellingham said. Despite the defeat, manager Thomas Tuchel has the support of the Football Association and is expected to lead the squad for Euro 2028. “We were ahead 1-0, but the atmosphere has completely changed since then,” Tuchel said. "They played freely, taking all the risks, and we couldn't stop the crosses. We basically weren't strong enough physically, we didn't win the duels and we didn't get the ball. After our goal, the atmosphere completely changed. The players gave everything throughout the contest," he added. England will co-host the 2028 European Championships. Tuchel said: “Of course we have the possibility, there is no evidence at the moment, but we have to accept this big defeat with respect, digest it and stay together. Of course we were very close, but Argentina showed the difference in the last 30 minutes. Unfortunately, although we were close, we couldn't cross the line. "We aim to get over the line, it's very disappointing and we'll try again," he said.
What happens next
England must now prepare to face France in the third-place match, which will be an important opportunity to close out the team's season. Kane scored six goals in this World Cup, but it will be worth noting how the team's loss will affect his individual performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many goals did Harry Kane score in this World Cup?
Harry Kane scored 6 goals in this World Cup.
How did England achieve in the semi-final against Argentina?
England lost 1-2 in the semi-final against Argentina.
When is England's next match?
England prepare to face France in the third-place match, which will be broadcast live on Wednesday at 10pm.
How will this loss affect England's performance at the World Cup?
The defeat marks England's second World Cup semi-final defeat, and two of the last three men's World Cups.
Is Harry Kane likely to play in the 2030 World Cup?
Harry Kane has not given a clear answer on whether he will participate in the 2030 World Cup.
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