As England prepares to face Serbia in a crucial World Cup 2026 Qualifying match, captain Harry Kane has emphasized the importance of his team demonstrating their best form. The Three Lions are currently leading Group K with a perfect record, having won all four of their qualifying matches without conceding a single goal. However, the trip to Belgrade is expected to be their toughest test yet.
Kane acknowledges the significance of the game, stating that a win would represent a "big step" towards securing their place in the World Cup. He is also mindful of the challenge that Serbia poses, recognizing their potential to seize the opportunity and gain an advantage in the group.
"We need to focus on what we can control, and that's going out there and playing the way we know we can," Kane said. "It's going to be difficult, but we enjoy these challenges. It's part and parcel of qualifying for the biggest tournament in the world and we look forward to it."
England's manager, Thomas Tuchel, is hoping that his team will "prove a point" in Serbia, especially after some underwhelming performances that have drawn criticism from supporters. While England has maintained a flawless record in qualifying under Tuchel, some fans have expressed dissatisfaction with the team's style of play.
The match in Belgrade is anticipated to be played in an emotionally charged atmosphere. The stadium capacity has been reduced by 15 percent following FIFA's sanctions against the Football Association of Serbia for "discrimination and racist abuse" during a previous match. The Serbian FA has appealed to supporters to display good behavior and support the team in a positive manner.
Concerns about potential racist abuse have been addressed by the England team. Kane confirmed that the players have discussed UEFA's three-step protocol for dealing with discriminatory behavior and are prepared to take appropriate action if necessary.
In addition to the collective goals, Kane has the opportunity to match Wayne Rooney's record of scoring away goals against 16 different nations for England. Currently, Kane has scored against 15 different teams on the road. He also matched Bobby Moore's total of 108 England caps in the previous match against Andorra.
