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World Cup 2026: Kane says Argentina defeat was England’s most painful near-miss
24th September, 2026 09:47 AM
Harry Kane has described England’s World Cup 2026 semi-final defeat by Argentina as the most difficult disappointment of his international career, saying the manner of the loss left the team feeling that it had moved away from its own identity.
The defeat continues to weigh heavily on England as Thomas Tuchel’s squad returns to action 10 weeks later, with the Nations League campaign providing the first opportunity to rebuild ahead of Euro 2028.
England begin their latest recovery against Spain at Wembley on Saturday, September 26, 2026. Spain defeated England in the previous European Championship final and would also have been their opponents had Tuchel’s team reached the World Cup final.
Kane admitted he could not bring himself to watch the World Cup final in July. Instead, the England captain spent the day playing golf in New York after missing the opportunity to feature in the final at nearby MetLife Stadium.
Kane’s association with England
The Bayern Munich striker said his long association with England has made every major tournament setback particularly difficult.
“I’m so passionate about England, especially because I have been on this journey now,” the long-serving skipper said.
“I have been to the finals, to semi-finals and been so close. Each one hurts in a different way. This one hurt, for sure. More than any other one.
“I would probably say even more than when I missed a penalty in Qatar [in the quarter-final against France] just in the manner that it happened.
“It just felt like it wasn’t us as a team. It wasn’t the team that we wanted to be and said we’d be.
“Sometimes when you maybe go against your beliefs and you lose, it feels 10 times worse than just losing in a way where if we lose doing it our way you accept it, take it on the chin and move on.
“It’s tough and it will still be tough. You have to move on.” He said.
Palmer accused of faking injury
Elsewhere, Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has been accused of deliberately using an injury as an excuse to pull out of England duty amid lingering frustration over his omission from the 2026 World Cup squad.
Former Wales international James Collins has suggested that Palmer remains unhappy with England manager Thomas Tuchel and may have chosen not to join the national team as a result.
Palmer was initially selected by Tuchel for England’s latest squad after being left out of the World Cup squad. However, the Chelsea star subsequently withdrew from the camp because of what was described as a minor muscular problem.
His withdrawal came alongside those of Kobbie Mainoo, Marcus Rashford, Declan Rice and Tino Livramento, with England facing a demanding run of Nations League fixtures.
The decision has prompted speculation, particularly because Palmer has been an important player for Chelsea at the beginning of the new campaign.
