England captain Harry Kane enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America following a career-best club season with Bayern Munich, sparking tactical discussions and endorsements for the Ballon d'Or award.
The 32-year-old striker accumulated 61 goals and seven assists across 51 appearances in the 2025-26 campaign, helping the German club secure a domestic double and reach the Champions League semifinals.
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Deeper Role Under Tuchel
Kane often dropped deep into midfield during the club season to assist in build-up play, a tactical role that England manager Thomas Tuchel intends to replicate during the international tournament.
The positional adjustment allowed Kane to operate effectively while dealing with injuries to Bayern teammate Jamal Musiala.
"When Jamal's playing, it's a bit different. Getting the ball off defenders, driving...
when we were playing together, it was better for him to go and do that," Kane said.
The system at Bayern created space for high-energy wingers to exploit the central areas vacated by the striker.
"This season, it's allowed me to play a little bit deeper, use my qualities in that sense of turning and playing it forward, then arriving later in the box," Kane added.
Ballon d'Or Favorites
Kane has publicly acknowledged his standing in the race for the annual global football prize, stating that he believes he is definitely among the favorites.
Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer backed the striker: "I liked how Harry Kane spoke confidently about the Ballon d'Or.
