Donald Trump singles out Harry Kane as he speaks out on England knocking out Mexico in World Cup
It seems Donald Trump is a particular fan of our new national treasure Harry Kane after saying he watched England's 3-2 win against Mexico, with the president even claiming that they've played golf together.
Kane scored the penalty that gave England their third goal of the night, and did so much shouting that he lost his voice, making for a rather amusing post-match interview where his voice had clearly gone.
The England striker is the fourth-highest goalscorer at the 2026 World Cup, his six goals putting him just behind Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland, who are all tied on the top spot with seven.
Trump seems to like Kane, going on Truth Social after the latest game to say: "Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!"
Advert
Now, he's spoken with more praise for England's all time top goalscorer, saying he watched the England game and while he doesn't really know who the players are he does recognise Kane.
'I like him a lot, he’s a good golfer'
"I watched last night, what a game that was. Mexico, England, I mean two countries, I don’t know the players," Trump said at the White House.
"Although, I think Kane is a great player. See, I played golf with him and I like him a lot, he’s a good golfer. But he’s really great."
It's not a surprise that Kane plays golf, which is a popular pastime for many footballers, though the notion of him playing it with Donald Trump takes a bit of work to wrap one's head around.
Trump's involvement on Folarin Balogun's suspension
Anyhow, Trump has been talking a lot about football today, or 'soccer' as he'd call it, to say that while he doesn't really know what a red card is, he did call FIFA boss Gianni Infantino to get them to act on the suspension of Team USA striker Folarin Balogun.
This has been a highly controversial moment in the World Cup as Balogun was sent off during the 2-0 win against Bosnia & Herzegovina in the round of 32, so by rights he ought to be out for tomorrow's (7 July) game against Belgium.
However, a FIFA disciplinary panel have suspended the red card for a year so he can keep playing, and Trump says it was his doing.
'This referee is a little bit suspect'
"I'm the one that got them to do it," Trump said, before making unfounded claims about the referee's history. "I'm a person that loves sports and was a good athlete and I understand sports really well, really well.
"That wasn't a foul... that was two guys running full speed that happened to crash into each other. Like, you can't take your foot and properly place it on somebody else's foot... these were two great athletes that got tangled up.
"This referee is a little bit suspect. If you check his past, I don't want to say that because I don't like to create controversy, but but very suspect."
New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026
This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.
10-second substitution
Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.
5-second throw-ins and goal kicks
If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.
Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute
An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.
More VAR
VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.
Players can’t cover their mouths
Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.
Red cards for players leaving the pitch
Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.
Topics: Football, World Cup, Donald Trump, Harry Kane
Joe Harker