England can win the World Cup, but Harry Kane must ‘fly’, says Alan Shearer

England can mount a genuine challenge for World Cup glory this summer, but only if captain Harry Kane delivers at his very best, according to Premier League great Alan Shearer.

England will face Ghana in their second Group L game on June 23 as they seek make history in North America.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, anticipation is building around a Three Lions side desperate to end decades of disappointment on football’s biggest stage.

England will head to the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada carrying the hopes of a nation still waiting for a major men’s trophy since their 1966 World Cup triumph.

At the centre of those ambitions is Kane, whose remarkable scoring record continues to place him among the most feared forwards in world football.

The England skipper arrives at the tournament after another prolific campaign, netting 61 goals in 51 appearances, including 36 in the Bundesliga, underlining his importance to the national team’s chances.

Kane remains England’s biggest weapon

While England possess an array of attacking talent, Shearer believes their hopes of going deep into the competition remain closely tied to the performances of their captain.

The former Newcastle United and England striker sees a route to success for the Three Lions, but insists Kane’s influence in front of goal will be decisive when the pressure intensifies.

“If we defend really well and Harry can do what he’s done, then we have got a live chance of winning it. If we’re going to go deep, then Harry has to fly.”

The assessment from England’s all-time Premier League leading scorer reflects the significance of Kane’s role. For all the emerging stars and attacking options available, England’s fortunes are still expected to revolve around the composure, leadership and finishing ability of their record goalscorer.

Kane has repeatedly delivered on the international stage, collecting individual honours and producing crucial goals in major tournaments. The expectation is that he will once again shoulder much of the responsibility as England seek to navigate a highly competitive field.

Managing the demands of a North American World Cup

Beyond Kane’s goalscoring ability, Shearer also highlighted the physical challenges that players may encounter during a tournament spread across North America.

The unique demands of travel, climate and scheduling have already become talking points ahead of the competition. Shearer recalled his own memories of football in the United States and suggested careful squad management could become a crucial factor for teams hoping to last the distance.

“When you go back to (the 1994 World Cup in the U.S.), you used to see players baking.”

With matches expected to be played in varying weather conditions across multiple host nations, player welfare and recovery could play a major role. England’s coaching staff may therefore be forced to carefully manage the workload of key performers, particularly Kane.

Shearer believes protecting the striker whenever possible should be a priority, even if it means sacrificing personal milestones during matches.

“I don’t expect Harry Kane to play every minute of every game. If England are winning comfortably, I don’t think our manager will care about Harry getting a hat trick. He’ll get him off and try and wrap him in cotton wool for the next game.”

World Cup success could reshape individual honours race

The stakes for Kane extend beyond England’s pursuit of international success. A strong World Cup campaign could also strengthen his case in the race for football’s most prestigious individual award.

History suggests performances on the game’s biggest stage often influence voting for the Ballon d’Or during World Cup years.

Four of the last seven editions awarded in a World Cup year have gone to players who lifted the trophy with their national teams, reinforcing the importance of success in the tournament.