Harry Kane believes that England’s preparations for the World Cup mean that the much-discussed high temperatures during this summer’s tournament “won’t be an issue.”
Kane enters the tournament in exceptional shape, recently adding another goal to his tally with a stunning header in England’s 1-0 victory over New Zealand—marking his 67th goal of the season across club and country.
Despite England manager Tuchel expressing dissatisfaction with some of the “freestyle” play displayed in the first half against New Zealand, the team benefited from successfully navigating the uneven playing surface.
Kane acknowledged that the pitch was “a bit sticky” and that they played under sweltering 33°C conditions, but he feels the concerns regarding the weather have been exaggerated.
“Honestly, I don’t think the heat is that bad,” said the striker, who participated in last year’s Club World Cup in the U.S. “We’ve been acclimatizing in training, and after the first few days, most of the lads seemed to adjust well.
“Today actually felt quite manageable, so I believe this has become a topic that could be over-discussed. We’re all professional athletes who have prepared adequately for this tournament alongside our coaching staff.
“With about ten days until our first game, we’ll continue training in these conditions, so I’m confident that by the time the tournament starts, it won’t be an issue.”
Kane expressed that he feels in top form as he eagerly anticipates the World Cup. “Playing for England is my greatest passion,” Kane shared. “I wear the shirt and the armband with immense pride, aiming to set a positive example for my teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans.”
“Leading another group into a World Cup is a truly special experience. We enter with high expectations, and I’m excited to get started. I’ve never felt better, and I can’t wait for it to begin.”
England will launch their World Cup journey against their 2018 semifinal rivals, Croatia, in Dallas on June 17, having just arrived in Florida on Monday to begin their preparations.
Head coach Thomas Tuchel rotated his squad during the friendly match against New Zealand, featuring different line-ups in each half as part of their ongoing preparations, which will continue with a final warm-up match against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday.
Following his decisive goal in the match, Kane remarked, “As a striker, it’s always important for me to be on the scoresheet. I knew I was only playing for 45 minutes, so scoring in stoppage time felt much better than it being a 0-0 draw.”
“Ultimately, we’re here to prepare, build fitness, adapt to the heat, and handle these types of pitches. So, it’s another day completed, and we look forward to our next friendly in a few days.”
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