Kane and Pickford on 'buzz' of fan support

Harry Kane and Jordan Pickford reflected on a ‘top performance’ as England ran out 4-2 winners over Croatia, speaking on the latest episode of Lions' Den connected by EE.

The Three Lions got up and running in Dallas with Kane becoming England’s joint top scorer in the tournament, equalling Gary Lineker’s 10 goals by bagging a first-half brace.

And Pickford made some crucial saves to ensure Thomas Tuchel’s side put three points on the board.

“We were ready and we knew were taking the challenge on,” said Pickford. “I remember my first one against Tunisia in 2018.

“Quite a nerve-wracking atmosphere around the group but I think this manager and his staff have got that atmosphere right.

“We conceded two goals which is not like us as England but we knew we had enough in the tank and in the second half, we got going and we dominated.”

“For me personally, there’s a lot of build-up, up until the first game, for sure,” added Kane.

“This one was a bit different for both of us where we’ve had to wait so long to play. Normally, we’re playing within the first few days of the tournament starting. We’ve had to wait six days and watch everyone else play, itching to get out there ourselves.”

Captain Kane’s retaken penalty got the Three Lions off the mark with just 12 minutes played but the skipper always backs himself.

“Before the game, I did my research and I knew that the keeper liked to take a big step forward, so I knew if I stuttered, there was a chance he’d come off the line,” explained Kane.

“Obviously, I still wanted to score. I’m really hoping that I’d get another chance, especially to start the tournament like that and the momentum of the game. I knew it was a big moment for us.

“Once I got the second opportunity then it’s calming the nerves down again and the mindset is a bit more maybe mind games with the goalkeeper, where he’s going to go and where thinks I’m going to go. I was really happy to see the second one go in!”

And stopper Pickford highlighted the unwavering support of the travelling fans and the role it plays for the team.

“We buzz of it – you see at the end of the game,” said Pickford. “It gives us that added edge, that atmosphere – we all thrive off it.

“When they’re coming out in full force like they are, I think it’s only going to get better, as well. Over the next two games, we’ll see a lot more numbers coming over.

“We all love it. We’re all passionate people and we know English fans are passionate. It drives us. It doesn’t go unnoticed. But we’ve got to turn up for them to enjoy the experience even more.”

For Kane, this marks his sixth tournament while for Pickford, it is his fifth.

The duo cut two of the more experienced figures in the squad and it’s a role they’re relishing.

“It probably dates back to 2018,” commented Kane. “That was the first time we really started to get the togetherness as we wanted it. It’s been something we’ve been really big on in the past with Gareth and the squads that we wanted.

“This one feels a little bit different. I think our role has changed a little bit, being the more experienced guys and the older guys.

“There’s not many players from those early tournaments in the squad, so there’s a freshness about it where you can really see a hunger and a desire and an excitement from the players in the team just to be part of what could be a special summer.”

Thomas Tuchel’s side will look to build on their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 victory when they face Ghana in Boston on Tuesday in their second Group L match.

Kane, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were on target in an entertaining 4-2 win over Croatia on Wednesday and the Black Stars are the Three Lions’ next challenge.

It will be the first time England and Ghana meet at the World Cup - and their first competitive meeting overall - with their only previous clash coming in a friendly at Wembley in March 2011.

Fabio Capello’s side drew 1-1 with the African nation, with Andy Carroll and ex-Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan on the scoresheet.

A victory over Ghana would see Tuchel’s side win their first two matches of a World Cup campaign for just the fourth time, having done so in 1982, 2006 and 2018.

England also have a strong record against African opposition heading into the match. They are unbeaten against African teams at the World Cup, winning five and drawing three of their eight matches.

Of those eight games, England have faced seven different African opponents - Morocco, Egypt, Cameroon, Tunisia, Nigeria, Algeria and Senegal - and Ghana will be their eighth.

Having enjoyed the perfect start with a brace against Croatia, Kane will be hoping to continue his excellent form against African nations.

The Bayern Munich talisman has scored five goals across his five international appearances against African nations. Three of those have been at the World Cup, scoring against Tunisia in 2018 (twice) and Senegal in 2022.

Kane spearheaded a sharp England attack against Croatia, alongside Arsenal’s Noni Madueke and Barcelona’s Anthony Gordon.

Across the opening round matchday one fixtures at the World Cup, only Germany (12) had more shots on target than England (11 v Croatia). Excluding penalties, Tuchel’s side also had the highest xG (1.09) and most shots on target (five) from set-piece situations of any side on MD1.

Thomas Tuchel during England's World Cup opener against Croatia

Thomas Tuchel during England's World Cup opener against Croatia

After Bukayo Saka came off the bench to earn his 50th Three Lions cap against Croatia, there could be more personal milestones achieved in the Ghana meeting.

Bellingham could also reach a half-century of appearances and would be the youngest player in history to do so for the England men’s team at the age of 22 years and 359 days on the day of the game.

At the opposite end of the pitch, both Pickford and John Stones could make their 14th World Cup appearance for England, with only Peter Shilton (17) having more in the competition for the men’s side.