Harry Kane targets FIFA World Cup glory as Erling Haaland rivalry heats up

By SABC Sport
11th July 2026

Harry Kane insisted England's pursuit of World Cup success matters far more than any personal scoring battle with Erling Haaland, as the Three Lions prepare to face Norway in Saturday's quarter-final.

The England captain has found the net seven times in the 2026 tournament, one fewer than Haaland, while both trail Golden Boot leaders Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, who have each scored eight goals.

Kane's latest strikes also lifted his overall World Cup tally to 14 after claiming the tournament's Golden Boot in 2018.

Despite the comparisons, Kane stressed that he and Haaland are very different forwards, describing the Norway striker as "a machine" and a "beast" of a number nine.

"I think we're completely different players. I know we're both strikers, but we're in almost two different positions," Kane told his pre-match press conference.

"Erling is incredible, his goalscoring record, physically he's a machine, he's a beast. His finishing is at the highest level and his goalscoring record speaks for itself.

"I see myself as a different player, although I score the same goals. I like to maybe touch the ball a little bit more, be involved with the play a little bit more, but also can play as maybe the out-and-out number nine.

"I don't think it's one to compare ourselves. I respect him a lot as a player and as a professional. Obviously, I'm hoping he has a quiet day tomorrow, but I think his overall performance is very good. He's a fantastic player."

Haaland has enjoyed a sensational first major international tournament, scoring seven goals in four appearances. His double against Brazil in the last 16 powered Norway into the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.

Kane, meanwhile, said his priority is ending England's 60-year wait for a major international trophy after the heartbreak of their 2018 semi-final defeat to Croatia. He added that he hopes his goals can help fire England to World Cup glory.

He added: "My main goal is to win the World Cup more than another golden boot, but I also know I'm a goalscorer, I'm the number nine, so if I'm scoring goals, it's obviously going to help the team."