US President Donald Trump has once again expressed his admiration for England captain Harry Kane, describing the Bayern Munich striker as a “great player” after England’s dramatic 3-2 World Cup victory over Mexico.
Speaking to reporters from the Oval Office shortly after the match, Trump praised Kane’s leadership and revealed that the pair had previously shared a round of golf, adding another personal compliment to his growing list of public endorsements for the England star.
Trump Says Golf Outing Strengthened His Respect for Kane
While discussing the thrilling encounter, Trump admitted he was captivated by the match despite not closely following many of the players involved.
He singled out Kane, saying the England captain impressed him both on and off the football pitch, recalling that they had once played golf together.
Trump added that Kane was a capable golfer but insisted his footballing talent was what truly stood out.
Although Trump owns numerous golf courses and Kane is known to be a keen golfer himself, neither has disclosed when or where the reported round took place.
Social Media Praise Came Before Oval Office Remarks
The president’s comments followed an earlier post on his Truth Social platform, where he celebrated Kane’s performance shortly after England secured their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Trump posted a brief but enthusiastic message, declaring Kane to be a “GREAT player” after the striker converted a crucial penalty during the victory over Mexico.
England Reach Quarter-Finals After Five-Goal Spectacle
England advanced to the last eight after surviving a thrilling contest at the Estadio Azteca.
Jude Bellingham stole the spotlight early by scoring twice within minutes in the opening half before Kane added England’s third goal from the penalty spot.
Mexico fought back late, with Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raúl Jiménez converting a penalty, but Thomas Tuchel’s side held on to secure a memorable victory.
The Three Lions will now travel to Miami, where they are scheduled to face Norway in the quarter-finals.
Bellingham Continues Outstanding Tournament
Bellingham’s impressive World Cup campaign continued as he increased his tournament tally to four goals.
His first strike came after an assist from Bukayo Saka, while Kane returned the favour moments later by setting up the Real Madrid midfielder for his second goal.
Kane then capped England’s dominant first-half display by calmly converting from the spot.
Challenging Conditions Failed to Stop England
England’s preparations for the knockout clash were far from ideal.
Players had to cope with the high altitude of Mexico City, soaring temperatures, and sleepless nights after enthusiastic local supporters gathered outside the team’s hotel throughout the night.
A delayed kick-off caused by thunderstorms added another obstacle, but England quickly settled after the hour-long wait and built a commanding lead before halftime.
Azteca Produces Another Memorable World Cup Classic
The famous Estadio Azteca once again hosted a match destined to be remembered in World Cup history.
England had not played at the iconic venue since their 2-1 defeat to Argentina during the 1986 World Cup—a game forever associated with Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and his unforgettable solo effort.
Many observers are already describing England’s latest victory over Mexico as another classic at one of football’s most historic stadiums, with some calling it the national team’s greatest World Cup triumph since lifting the trophy in 1966.
Norway Await as Haaland Eyes England Showdown
England’s next opponents secured their own dramatic quarter-final berth after Norway defeated Brazil 2-1.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland scored both Norwegian goals to eliminate the five-time world champions, setting up a highly anticipated clash with Kane and England in Miami.
Trump Also Weighs In on FIFA’s Balogun Decision
Away from England’s success, Trump also commented on FIFA’s decision to allow United States forward Folarin Balogun to play in the quarter-finals despite receiving a red card in the previous round.
The US president said he merely requested that FIFA review the situation rather than pressure the governing body into overturning the suspension.
He praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino, describing him as an effective leader and arguing that major tournaments should feature the strongest players whenever possible.
FIFA Explains Rare Disciplinary Ruling
FIFA later confirmed that Balogun’s automatic one-match suspension had not been cancelled but instead suspended for a one-year probationary period under Article 27 of its disciplinary code.
The decision means the striker remains eligible unless he commits another offence of similar seriousness during that probation period.
The governing body noted that the same disciplinary mechanism had previously been applied to Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo following his dismissal during a World Cup qualifying match in 2025, allowing him to participate fully in the current tournament after serving only part of his original punishment.
