England: Don't let Harry Kane become a lonely star.

Kane is enjoying the finest spell of his professional life, but England must not put all their trust in his finishing ability if they intend to conquer the 2026 World Cup.

Will England still be dependent on Harry Kane at the 2026 World Cup?

A few years after the Brazil 2014 debacle (being eliminated at the bottom of Group D), England regained their self-belief and built a solid foundation under Southgate, coming close to glory at EURO 2020 and EURO 2024. Thus, Tuchel has every reason to believe the Three Lions are capable of aiming higher at the 2026 World Cup.

Nevertheless, their biggest issue now is the overreliance on Kane. The 32-year-old forward has been in phenomenal form, scoring 61 goals for Bayern Munich last season. If he helps England win their first major trophy since 1966, Kane could compete for the Ballon d'Or. But the question remains: What happens if Kane is nullified? Or if he faces physical problems during a long and grueling tournament?

Tuchel has Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney available, but neither has reached Kane's level. Watkins offers pace and the ability to exploit spaces, while Toney is strong in physical battles and drawing defenders. However, the most crucial solution does not lie in backup options, but in the players operating behind Kane.

England needs Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham, or Morgan Rogers to share the goal-scoring responsibility. Saka has only netted twice since EURO 2024. Rashford had a positive season at Barcelona but hasn't scored from open play for the national team in nearly three years. Meanwhile, Bellingham – the biggest hope of English football – remains goalless under Tuchel.

"The numbers of the wingers and other positions haven't reached the level we expected," Tuchel once admitted. What he wants is a more diverse attack, rather than just waiting for Kane's moment. When looking at major rivals, England has even more reason to be concerned. France, Spain, Argentina, and Portugal all have multiple sources of goals. They do not rely on a single individual to make a difference.

This is also why the friendly against Costa Rica is so important. It is not only a dress rehearsal before the World Cup but also an opportunity for the players around Kane to regain confidence. Bellingham is especially anticipated because the partnership between him and Kane has not yet truly exploded under Tuchel. If the Real Madrid midfielder rediscovers his ability to penetrate the box and score, England will gain another crucial weapon.

Kane can be the leader and the biggest hope, but he cannot single-handedly lead England to glory. To turn the World Cup dream into reality, the Three Lions need more than one hero.

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