Gary Neville believes England have been shaped around Harry Kane for the World Cup 2026, with the captain standing out as the squad’s only genuine world-class player. The Sky Sports pundit said Thomas Tuchel’s attacking choices point to a clear plan built to suit Kane’s strengths.
Kane arrives in strong form after scoring 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern Munich, a return that has placed him in Ballon d’Or contention. That output has also underlined why England have moved away from some of their more technical creators and toward faster runners around their striker.
Tuchel’s attacking balance leans toward pace
Tuchel left out Cole Palmer and Phil Foden in favour of wide players who can run beyond Kane and stretch defences. Neville said that profile fits the England captain, with Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers among the players selected to provide direct movement.
“This whole squad that Thomas Tuchel has picked – in the attacking part – is all [to focus] around him,” Neville said on ITV. He added that the tournament will place a heavy burden on Kane, even if the striker does not appear likely to feel it in the same way other players might.
Neville described Kane as “as solid as a rock” and “absolutely gold”, saying opposition players can usually find ways to unsettle England stars at major tournaments but not him. He also said Kane’s professionalism and calmness make him difficult to break.
Why Kane may not need to do it all himself
Another part of Neville’s argument is that England have surrounded Kane with enough energy to manage his workload. He said the team cannot expect the captain to press relentlessly, so the collective shape has to change to suit him rather than force him into a style that drains him.
Neville believes that support is important because Kane has previously struggled with fitness issues at the end of long seasons in international tournaments. The current squad, he said, gives him the legs around him that he needs.
“The last thing you want with Kane is players around him who can’t run,” Neville said. “They can all run, they’ve all got youth and energy. It’s all set up for him.”
Roy Keane sees Kane embracing the pressure
Roy Keane also said on ITV that Kane enjoys being England’s main man and can cope with the responsibility. He warned, however, that Kane should not spend too much time dropping deep, even if that movement still leaves him dangerous when he starts high up the pitch.
Keane pointed to Kane’s years at Spurs as evidence that the striker has long been used to carrying a team’s attacking burden. He also said Jude Bellingham looks like the next player behind Kane in terms of authority and pressure, although the midfielder is fighting for his place in Tuchel’s starting XI.
“Harry is captain and has that title, Bellingham’s not far behind,” Keane said. He added that Bellingham’s “narky” edge may help his game after a difficult spell at Madrid and some recent injuries.
England’s old burden still sits in the background
The debate around Kane comes against the familiar pressure on England to win a first World Cup since 1966. Keane said that history should inspire the squad rather than weigh them down, while Neville argued that treating the past as a curse is the wrong mindset.
Neville said England players should be inspired by what the 1966 team achieved, not use it as an excuse for falling short. He added that the national team has had enough quality over the years to do more, and that the biggest disappointment of his own career came in international football.
The message from both pundits was clear: this England side will go as far as Kane can take it, but the design around him is different from previous tournaments. With pace outside him, energy behind him and Tuchel’s structure leaning his way, the captain is once again central to England’s hopes.
