Harry Kane has expressed his desire for Oasis’s iconic track “Wonderwall” to become the unofficial anthem of England’s World Cup campaign, following a triumphant start to their tournament.
The Three Lions secured a 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening Group L fixture in Dallas on Wednesday, a match that saw Kane net twice, equalling Gary Lineker’s record of 10 World Cup goals.
The celebratory scenes after the match, with England’s victorious squad singing along to “Wonderwall” in front of their fans at the Dallas Stadium, left a lasting impression on the captain.
Kane, visibly moved by the moment, hopes this connection with supporters will continue as they pursue their World Cup ambitions.
Speaking on the Lions Den, Kane reflected: “That was one of my favourite ever moments in an England shirt and especially at a major tournament.
“I know it’s just the first game, and we’re not getting carried away, but just that emotional connection with the fans, we know how much it means to them. I think they see how much it means to us.”
He continued: “We have that connection right now, but just that moment, singing ‘Wonderwall’ in the stadium, everyone knew the words, and that was a really special moment, I thought.
“As first games go, to have that kind of support from everyone, and we know back home is the same. We know there would be plenty of beer getting thrown around, with it being a night game, so we love that stuff.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel has consistently emphasised fostering a strong “brotherhood” within the squad, building upon the foundations laid during the 2018 World Cup under Sir Gareth Southgate, which saw the national team reconnect with its fanbase after years of underperformance.
Kane, one of only three players remaining from the 2018 squad alongside Jordan Pickford and John Stones, highlighted the “freshness” and renewed energy within the current group.
“This one feels a little bit different, I think,” he remarked.
“Our roles have changed a little bit, obviously, being the more experienced guys, the older guys. There aren’t many players from those early tournaments in this squad, so there’s a freshness about it, where you can really see a hunger, a desire, and excitement from the players in the team, just to kind of be part of what could be obviously a special summer.”
The squad boasts significant depth and competition for starting positions, with Tuchel encouraging healthy rivalry. This was evident in the Croatia match, where substitutes Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, and Morgan Rogers all made an impact from the bench.
“Throughout a tournament, you need all the players in the squad,” Kane added.
“Whether it’s the players who play or come off the bench, or the players who are training the next day, there’s a level that I think we’ve all set each other, and it’s a great squad to be a part of.”
