Kane plays down Haaland rivalry ahead of World Cup quarterfinal: 'We're different players'

England captain Harry Kane has downplayed the individual showdown with Erling Haaland ahead of Friday's World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Norway at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Both strikers remain in contention for the tournament's Golden Boot, but Kane insisted comparison is pointless. “We are completely different. Erling is a machine, physically incredible, his finishing is top level. I like to get more touches, involve myself in buildup, and help defensively. It's almost two different positions,” Kane said. Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi lead the scoring charts with eight goals each. Haaland has seven, Kane six. This season, Kane tallied 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England, while Haaland scored 46 and won another Premier League Golden Boot with Manchester City. Thomas Tuchel's side reached the quarterfinals after a tricky group stage win in Group L and a Round of 16 victory over Mexico at the legendary Azteca Stadium, sealed by two late Kane goals. “History shows champions rarely have smooth roads. We need to show our best version now,” Kane added. England trained at Inter Miami's facility ahead of the match. Former captain and club co-owner David Beckham visited the squad on Friday. Kane also addressed recent reports about playing golf with U.S. President Donald Trump. “Honestly, he plays pretty well. I hope I can play that well when I'm his age,” Kane said. Trump had previously mentioned the round.