Kane says his 2022 World Cup miss was his lowest point but now drives his quest to lift the 2026 trophy.
England captain Harry Kane says his missed penalty against France in the 2022 World Cup remains “the worst” moment of his career but has since fueled his improvement.
Kane, 32, will lead England to his third World Cup next summer in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Reflecting on his costly miss in Qatar, he said, “I’ve lost finals before, but that was the hardest to take. It fell on my shoulders.”
The striker said he learned from the experience, adjusting his penalty technique and going on a 31-penalty scoring streak. “Those moments shape you as a player,” he added.
Kane, who recently scored his 75th and 76th England goals, said he’s not planning international retirement yet and wants to “put things right” in 2026. “We’ve been knocking on the door. Winning the World Cup will be tough, but we’re ready to be fearless,” he said.