Alan Shearer says defense and Harry Kane are key as England chase 2026 FIFA World Cup title

Former England captain Alan Shearer believes the current squad can compete with the best players at the World Cup but does not expect the country to win the World Cup. The key factors must fall into place for a serious challenge.

Shearer, who led England to the 1998 World Cup and remains the Premier League’s all-time top scorer, said the side had the talent to compete but might fall short against stronger teams in the final stages.

“I think with the talent that we have… success, I think, means winning,” Shearer told reporters on Friday. “But if you think about who you’re up against, Spain, France, Brazil or Argentina, maybe Portugal, then I think if you dig deep into the tournament there will be selections that are better than England.»

He said England’s hopes would depend on the defensive strength and form of captain Harry Kane.

«If we defend very well and Harry can do what he has done, then we have a live chance to win,» he said of the Bayern Munich striker, who topped the Bundesliga for the third season in a row with 36 goals. «If we want to go deep, Harry has to fly.»

Shearer also urged patience with manager Thomas Tuchel, saying he should be given the chance to shape the team in his own way and make big decisions even if they prove unpopular.

“He may have left out some better players, but in terms of harmony he felt he was better off with the players he chose,” Shearer said. “He should be able to do that.”

He pointed to the controversy surrounding the omission of Paul Gascoigne from the 1998 squad as an example of how selection debates could dominate the build-up, emphasizing that on-field performance was most important.

Selection management would also be critical, especially in the predicted rising temperatures.

“If you go back to the 1994 World Cup in the US, you would often see players baking,” he said, noting that awareness of player welfare had improved, including water breaks, larger squads and more substitutions.

“I don’t expect Harry Kane to play every minute of every game,” Shearer added. «If England win comfortably, I don’t think our manager will mind Harry getting a hat-trick. He will release him and try to wrap him up in cotton wool for the next game.»

The expanded World Cup will feature 183 Premier League players, up from 133 in Qatar, with 40 of the 48 countries represented by players from England’s top flight.

Asked about the impact of the Premier League season, Shearer said: “It probably doesn’t help,” citing the number and intensity of matches, as well as the climatic differences at the World Cup.

However, he added that England’s recent experience in reaching the latter stages of major tournaments, including finishing second behind Spain at the 2024 European Championship, could be useful.

He said the extent of the Premier League’s influence would again become apparent during the tournament.

“Because of the finances involved, the players involved, the coaches involved, the stadiums, the atmosphere,” he said. «I’ve been lucky enough to travel the world, and I think everyone looks at our league and is very jealous… that’s why we’re so well represented in terms of the number of players. We’re lucky to have the best league in the world here in the Premier League in England.»

Published on June 6, 2026