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Tom Hamilton
Multiple Authors
ATLANTA — In the press conferences leading up to matches, England manager Thomas Tuchel routinely faces questions about striker Harry Kane. This curiosity transcends cultures as journalists from various countries seek insight about him.
Similar inquiries were posed ahead of the match against Norway. While the discussion encompassed various players, including Norway’s Erling Haaland and topics related to Argentina, the question about Kane was inevitable.
“We discuss him before every match because he’s crucial to our outcomes,” Tuchel said. “I’m running out of ways to describe him. He’s our leader, our captain, and he exemplifies what we stand for. Currently, he’s in the best shape of his life and possesses a team-first mentality. He takes responsibility, performs at a high level, and his presence is a privilege for us all.”
Today, it’s almost customary for Kane to captain England. He has led the team through the last five major tournaments and will don the armband again in a World Cup semifinal. When Kane was appointed captain for the 2018 World Cup by then-coach Gareth Southgate, the decision stirred debate; he didn’t fit the traditional image of an England captain, being more of a thoughtful, polite goalscorer than the stereotypical “bulldog”.
Over the years, the role of the England captain has transformed. As Paul Hayward details in “England Football – The Biography,” the early captains carried out ceremonial duties without the militaristic undertones that emerged during the empire era. From 1872 to Euro 2020, 125 players served as captains, most often without distinction, until figures like Billy Wright and Bobby Moore redefined the position to that of a leader and statesman.
Before leading England against Croatia in the 2018 semifinal, the only previous men’s captains to do so were Moore and Terry Butcher, with Moore’s legacy forever linked to the 1966 victory, where he famously received the Jules Rimet Trophy from Queen Elizabeth II.
Sir Alf Ramsey hailed Moore, stating, “my captain, my leader, my right-hand man… the heartbeat of the team.” In 1990, Bryan Robson, known as “Captain Marvel,” led the team to the semifinal, only for Butcher to step in when Robson was injured.
When Southgate selected a captain for the 2018 World Cup, he weighed the options of Kane, Gary Cahill, and Jordan Henderson. After rotating captains through previous camps, he initially considered Henderson due to his experience and leadership but ultimately chose Kane due to his impressive performance during a team bonding exercise with the Royal Marines in 2017.
Southgate praised Kane’s leadership qualities, stating, “He sets a high standard every day… his consistent performance shows the potential of being one of the best players in the world.” Kane’s commitment to elevating his teammates also stood out.
Having grown into his role as captain, Kane has taken the lead during team meetings, becoming comfortable enough to speak up to Southgate when necessary. Former defender Eric Dier affirmed, “Kane embodies what a good captain should be through his dedication and professionalism.” He inspires teammates through his work ethic rather than grand speeches.
Kane also plays a significant role in welcoming newcomers. “Harry Kane was exceptional when I joined the squad,” remarked winger Bukayo Saka, recalling how Kane made him feel at ease during his first call-up.
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Kane’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. During Euro 2024, he played through a back injury that affected his performance, culminating in an early substitution in the final against Spain. “It’s been physically exhausting for him,” noted Southgate, acknowledging Kane’s struggles.
However, he has shown significant improvement both as a player and captain since then. Under interim coach Lee Carsley, Kane missed the loss to Greece in October 2024 but otherwise has led England in every match he has started.
When Tuchel rested him for the friendly against Wales in October 2025, Declan Rice took on captaincy. Throughout subsequent matches against Uruguay and Japan, other players filled in, but Kane reclaimed his captaincy by the World Cup.
In this World Cup, Kane has showcased his prowess alongside Jude Bellingham. Arriving at the tournament after a stellar season with Bayern Munich featuring 61 goals in 51 games, he is now chasing the World Cup Golden Boot and is a candidate for the Ballon d’Or.
Kane scored twice against Croatia in the opening match and added another against Panama, becoming England’s all-time leading scorer in men’s World Cup history. He also secured vital goals against Congo DR and a winning penalty against co-hosts Mexico.
Kane has dealt with numerous inquiries as captain, including topics like his golf outing with U.S. President Donald Trump and addressing tensions within the team post-match against Norway.
His teammates affectionately call him “skip,” a nickname that goalkeeper Jordan Pickford humorously expanded to “skipdog” during a press conference. Kane’s golf skills are also noted, with praise for being the second-best golfer on the squad.
Regarding Kane, Bellingham stated, “It’s an honor to play alongside him. I believe he is the best player in England’s history. He consistently delivers results more than any other player.”
Praise has poured in during the tournament, with wingers like Anthony Gordon declaring him “the best to ever wear an England shirt” and Rice reminiscing about telling his future children about playing alongside Kane.
Kane’s humble leadership philosophy was highlighted in an article he penned. “I aim to create an environment where the players can be themselves and are empowered to communicate freely and showcase their true selves,” he expressed, crediting influential captains like Rooney, Hugo Lloris,
Manuel Neuer, and Joshua Kimmich.
As Tuchel continues to face questions about Kane, one teammate succinctly encapsulated Kane’s essence as a captain: “He leads by example. His composure and calmness make everything easier,” Marc Guéhi said.