Kane: We’re not afraid to say we can win World Cup | ‘Poor form lowers expectations’
Harry Kane insists England are “not afraid” of saying they can win the 2022 World Cup and believes their poor form has lowered expectations heading to Qatar.
Gareth Southgate’s side are one of the bookmakers’ favourites to win the tournament having reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, while they finished as runners-up at last year’s European Championships.
But Kane feels the Three Lions can go one step further in the Middle East and win their first major trophy since lifting the World Cup in 1966.World Cup team guide: England | Pick your England starting XIQatar 2022 World Cup fixtures and venues
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, England captain Kane said: “We have to believe we can win it.
“I look back at England 10, 15 years ago and it was almost [like] we were scared to say we wanted to win it. I think one of the big shifts that we’ve made over the last four or five years with Gareth is not being afraid to say that.
“Look, we’re going to this tournament to win it because we believe we can. It’d be wrong to think otherwise. What’s the point of going to a World Cup and not believing that you can bring the trophy home?
“It’s going to be tough and we’re going to have to work extremely hard, have a little bit of luck and have a lot of things go our way to achieve that.
“But I think it’s important not to be afraid to say that that’s what we’re going there to do.”‘Poor form has lowered expectations’
Southgate’s side, however, go into the World Cup off the back of a winless Nations League campaign that ended in relegation.
England begin the tournament against Iran on November 21 looking for their first win in seven games after three draws and three losses, but Kane believes their poor form has helped to lower expectations heading to Qatar.World Cup 2022 confirmed final schedule, teams and drawDownload the Sky Sports App
“The first game’s really important, for sure,” Kane said. “Of course it hasn’t been the greatest period in a long time for England. Since Gareth took charge – we haven’t had a spell like we’ve had.
“But in a way before a major tournament that can be a really good thing because it allows you not to be carried away, or even the media or the press to get carried away.
