Thomas Tuchel keeps Harry Kane as captain as England target winning 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Bayern Munich star faced criticism for Three Lions performances during run to Euro 2024 final

Thomas Tuchel has confirmed that Harry Kane will remain as England captain.

Speaking after naming his first England squad on Friday, Tuchel said the decision to keep Kane, 31, as skipper was an "easy" one.

Kane was named as captain by former head coach Gareth Southgate shortly before the 2018 World Cup and has also led the team at two European Championships and the winter World Cup in Qatar.

England's record goalscorer, who has won 103 caps, was dropped by interim head coach Lee Carsley in November but Tuchel did not hesitate when asked to name his captain going forward.

"It's easy, the decision is made and the decision stands. Harry is the captain."

Tuchel declined to say who would deputise for Kane when he is unavailable or not selected, saying he wanted to inform the squad of the make-up of his leadership group before going public.

Thomas Tuchel coached Harry Kane for a season at Bayern Munich

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But the German talked-up the leadership qualities of surprise call-ups Jordan Henderson, 34, and Dan Burn, 32, and said the pair had every chance to be included in the squad for the 2026 World Cup in over a year's time.

Henderson, the Ajax midfielder, was omitted from the Euros squad last summer by Southgate and will just have turned 36 by the time of the tournament in Canada, the USA and Mexico, which Tuchel has been mandated to win.

"I truly believe Dan Burn and Jordan Henderson have every chance to be with us in the World Cup," said the former Chelsea coach.

"Football in general, but maybe even more international football, is about team spirit, about building a team that loves to play with each other.

"That transports the spirit to the fans, to nation, to country. It’s about building a brotherhood, we cannot only do it with young players, cannot only do it with older players.

"Without doubt players like Dan Burn, Jordan Henderson, bring something on a very natural basis to the group from leadership, devotion, being humble, setting standards, taking care [of each other], taking respect of the group, and the language of the group. I was surprised Dan was never called up, such a tall guy, easy to overlook him!"

Jordan Henderson is back in the England squad

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Henderson has faced boos from sections of the England support since leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabian club Al Ettifaq in summer 2023, though he lasted just six months in the Middle East before moving to Dutch giants Ajax.

"Jordan is first of all serial winner, captain of Ajax at the moment, he is available, he has played a lot of matches, until yesterday he played in Europe," Tuchel said.

"What he brings to every team is leadership, character, personality and energy. He Makes sure that everyone lives by the standards. With these characteristics he embodies everything that we try to build, that we try to build a team for the fans, and that the fans are proud of.

"Hopefully we will be exciting to watch on the way. Jordan embodies everything that we want this team to be."