Kane says Bundesliga glory has elevated him to a new level ahead of World Cup 2026

Harry Kane says winning trophies with Bayern Munich has lifted him to a level he had never previously reached, and the England captain believes that newfound confidence could make World Cup 2026 his best chance yet of claiming the sport’s ultimate prize.

Kane, 32, broke Bayern’s Bundesliga scoring record this season, finished with 61 goals across all competitions, and capped the campaign with a hat-trick in the German Cup final — his first major silverware after years of near-misses at Tottenham. He will lead England out in their Group stage opener against Croatia in Dallas on Wednesday.

“I think there’s a different feeling for sure,” Kane said. “For me personally to have that weight off my shoulders is important. Especially this year having the trophies and having the cup final where I scored a hat-trick, my first big moment in a final — I think that is only going to help me as a player.”

Kane also acknowledged that the perception of him has shifted since he started collecting medals. “The fact that I’ve won those trophies means I’m seen a bit differently from the outside, or by people around, and maybe even teammates,” he said. “Just in terms of the general feeling about me I think there’s been a shift.”

He was quick to extend that observation to the broader England squad, noting that many of his international teammates have also experienced winning moments at club level this season. “A lot of us have been in winning teams, won trophies and had big moments where they’ve been the star of that moment,” he said. “So that as a team will only help us in this experience.”

England were eliminated at the quarter-final stage at Qatar 2022, beaten by France, and have not won the World Cup since 1966. Under head coach Thomas Tuchel, they arrive in North America with a renewed sense of purpose and, in Kane, a striker who insists all the pieces are finally aligned.

“Throughout a career, there aren’t loads of times when all the pieces of the puzzle will come together at the right moment,” Kane said. “Talking now, I feel like I’m in that place. Maybe the freedom I’m playing with now, having won those trophies, has helped that.”

Kane acknowledged the pressure that comes with being England’s primary goalscorer but said he welcomes it. “I’m comfortable having that responsibility, and I’m probably even more comfortable going into this year because of the way the season was for me, for sure.”