Fuss about England squad
Harry Kane honestly: “It makes you crazy”
June 2, 2026 – 6:21 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Harry Kane has a clear message for Thomas Tuchel’s much-discussed England squad. England’s goal at this World Cup is clear.
England captain Harry Kane has spoken highly of his relationship with national coach Thomas Tuchel. “We have a very good relationship, which of course started at FC Bayern Munich,” Kane told the French sports newspaper L’Equipe. The 52-year-old coach is one of the reasons why he moved to the German record champions in the summer of 2023. “At FC Bayern I really appreciated his personality, his ideas for the team and his way of getting involved. In a way, he has now brought these methods into the national team.”
- “I didn’t plan it”: How Nagelsmann and Tuchel coached a team 18 years ago
The German was heavily criticized for nominating his World Cup squad, especially in England. Well-known players such as Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire are not part of the team. The tabloid “The Sun” scoffed after the nomination: “Anyone who thinks this squad can win the World Cup should have their head examined.” Either Tuchel is “a genius” after the final or the World Cup will end in a “catastrophe”.
Embed
Kane himself didn’t know the squad beforehand either. Although he was in contact with Tuchel throughout the season, communication was limited to short messages before games. “In any case, we never discussed player selection. He just called me to tell me that I was in the squad.”
England’s goal is independent of the squad composition: the World Cup title. “That has to be our main goal. We know it will be difficult, but we have been close to winning a major tournament many times in recent years,” said Kane. He referred to the European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024 and the World Cup semi-finals in 2018. However, England left the field as losers in all games.