Kane’s deep role could unlock England’s World Cup goals in 2026

England’s World Cup hopes may hinge on Harry Kane’s ability to play as a deep-lying false nine next year.

Tuchel’s clear strategy for Kane Coach Thomas Tuchel has made up his mind about Harry Kane’s role for England—he wants the striker to drop into deeper positions. Critics and supporters have often questioned why Kane, a proven goal scorer, would leave the penalty area when goals are needed. However, Tuchel believes this deeper positioning could be the key to unlocking England’s attack at the upcoming World Cup. A closer look at Kane’s recent performances for Bayern Munich reveals why this unconventional role has worked so well. ## Record-breaking season in deeper role Kane just completed his most productive club season ever, scoring 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich. This tally is extraordinary for any striker, especially one who has been asked to contribute to his team’s build-up play throughout the campaign. England supporters will be eager to see this goal-scoring version of Kane at the World Cup. However, his remarkable output came while he was given increasing freedom to drift deep, sometimes as far back as his team’s full-backs. Tuchel has since decided that structuring the squad around this deeper version of Kane is the best approach. ## Bridging the gap in midfield Bayern Munich struggled to find a natural link between defense and attack for much of the season due to injuries to midfielder Jamal Musiala. Kane was moved into a deeper role to solve this issue. "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 explained. "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 excelled in this role, showcasing outstanding passing ability from deep and creating chances for teammates in dangerous positions. ## Creating space through movement When Bayern played the ball back, opposing teams would often press higher up the pitch as a unit. Kane’s decision to drop deep would then trigger one of two scenarios. If a center-back followed him closely, it would leave space in the defensive line for other attackers to exploit. If defenders chose not to track him, Kane would be free to receive the ball, overload midfield, and quickly turn to deliver a dangerous pass. Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain have both used strikers in this roaming false nine role to great effect against tightly organized defenses. ## Wingers key to exploiting gaps Paris Saint-Germain used Ousmane Dembele in a similar deep-lying false nine role with success, creating problems for teams trying to man-mark their striker. Bayern used high-energy right-footed left wingers like Luis Diaz to attack the central space that opened up when their striker dropped deep. Diaz scored 26 goals during the season, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia managed 19 for PSG. Tuchel has chosen Anthony Gordon and Marcus Rashford as left-wingers for the World Cup, following the same pattern that brought success in the Champions League. ## How deep positioning boosts Kane’s scoring Moving Kane deeper during the build-up phase might seem counterintuitive for a striker, but it actually helped him end up in better scoring positions. Both England and Bayern rely on push-and-pull movements to break down defenses. When Kane drops deep, teams press forward, leaving space behind their defensive line. When England or Bayern advance quickly, teams retreat toward their own goal, opening up space ahead of the defense. This tactic is especially effective when quick passes or direct dribbles force defenders back, creating room for Kane to arrive late and shoot unmarked. ## Unmarked and lethal in front of goal When teams are pushed back, Kane often joins the attack late, finding himself in free space in front of the opposition defense. This gives him more time and room to take shots, usually from outside the box. Despite the increased distance, Kane’s powerful striking ability means these attempts still result in goals at a prolific rate. For example, Bayern’s midfielder drew opponents toward him, while wingers made runs behind the defense. Kane, playing deeper, received a pass in open space, took one touch, and scored from distance. ## Squad built for Kane’s unique role Tuchel’s announced squad raised questions about the omission of some high-profile players, but the selections make sense when considering how best to utilize Kane. The exclusion of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, and Adam Wharton may seem like a loss of direct passing quality from deep, but John Stones’ inclusion at center-back, paired with Kane’s deep passing role, compensates for this. England’s squad is built on physical qualities such as height, stamina, and intensity, which could be crucial in the heat and humidity of the tournament. ## Balanced lineup supports Kane’s movement With Kane often vacating the penalty area, England’s attacking options rely on players who frequently run into the box. Anthony Gordon, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Nico O’Reilly are all examples of players who make these runs. England has used Kane in a fluid role before, but the current squad seems more balanced and better suited to support his deeper positioning. Tuchel will hope this tactical setup replicates Bayern’s attacking effectiveness from the past season.