Can Harry Kane win another Golden Boot at the Qatar World Cup?

As England gear up for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, attention will be on captain Harry Kane to deliver the goods for his country. Having reached the semi-finals of the tournament four years ago in Russia, Kane was one of the standout players for Gareth Southgate in his maiden international run, and that form will need to be replicated should the Three Lions go a step further. Indeed, England are amongst the teams tipped to go to distance amongst World Cup betting odds alongside Brazil and defending champions France.

A large part of England’s success was down to Kane’s goals. The Tottenham Hotspur man, still in search of his first piece of silverware at professional level, has racked up plenty of individual awards throughout his career, but perhaps none as special as the Golden Boot at the Russia World Cup. Kane scored six goals throughout the tournament, beating the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Romelu Lukaku to the award, and having been in fine form in the Premier League this season, the expectation is that he will do it again.

Deadly from the penalty spot, Kane’s consistency came in clutch for England en route to the semi-finals, helping Southgate’s side even at times when they hadn’t particularly played well, like the opening game against Tunisia with a well-timed brace, and a decisive spot-kick in the round of 16 to give his side the ascendancy against Colombia.

Heading into Qatar, Kane has made it clear that winning the tournament is a team effort, and is more than achievable with the shift in culture that Southgate has helped achieve during his time as manager.

“We have to believe we can win it. ” he said. “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?”

Despite there being so much pressure on Southgate, largely down to the side’s negative tactics and inconsistent Nations League results throughout the last 12 months, his influence on the side is clear for all to see.

Long gone are the days of cliques within the camp, Manchester United players not speaking to anyone from Manchester City and Liverpool, and Kane serves as an important leader alongside senior figures like Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire.

England begin their campaign in Qatar with a relatively straightforward fixture against Iran. The Middle Eastern side might be better suited to the hot climate but represent an important chance for not only England to get their run going with three points, but for Kane to notch up some goals for his tally. With the likes of Mbappe and Lionel Messi in top form domestically, Kane will have to hit the ground running if he is to win consecutive Golden Boots.