Harry Kane lifts lid on 'surreal' and 'unique' golf round with US president Donald Trump and praises 'incredible' Norway striker Erling Haaland

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England captain Harry Kane has confirmed that he did play a round of golf with US president Donald Trump, describing it as a "surreal" and "unique" experience. He also praised fellow striker Erling Haaland, calling him a "machine" and a "beast" ahead of facing Norway at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

England striker Harry Kane

Image credit: Getty Images

Trump said earlier this week that he had been on the golf course with Kane, calling him a "great player and a good golfer".

Kane was asked about teeing off with Trump ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final against Norway on Saturday.

"I played all right, to be honest," Kane said, who revealed the round took place 18 months ago in Palm Beach, Florida.

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"So when the president invites you somewhere … it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and obviously play golf with him.

"His golf is pretty good, to be honest with you. I hope I can play golf as good as him when I'm his age, that's for sure. A unique experience, but I was just grateful that he invited me to play."

Kane will be looking for an above-par performance when he comes up against Norway in Miami.

The match will see two of the top strikers in world football face off as Kane meets Haaland, with the Manchester City forward scoring seven goals at his debut World Cup.

Asked to compare himself and Haaland, Kane said: "It is an impossible one for me to answer. First of all, I think we are completely different players almost. I know we are both seen as strikers, but it is almost two different positions, if I'm totally honest.

"Erling has been incredible, his goal-scoring record. Physically, he's a machine, he's a beast. His finishing is at the highest level, and obviously, his goal-scoring record speaks for itself.

"I see myself as a different player, although I score the same goals. I like to maybe touch the ball a little bit more, be involved, and play a little bit more. But also, can play as maybe the out-and-out No. 9.

"I respect him a lot as a player, as a fellow professional. Obviously, hoping he has a quiet day, but I think his overall performances over these recent years speak for themselves. He's a fantastic player."

Kane has six goals at this year's tournament, taking his total number of World Cup goals to 14.

The 32-year-old scored both goals in England's last-32 comeback victory over DR Congo and then netted from the penalty spot in the 3-2 last-16 win over Mexico.

England manager Thomas Tuchel said it is a "privilege" to have Kane leading the line.

"We speak about him every match because he decides all the matches for us. I’m running out of words. I'm running out of different ways to describe him," said Tuchel about Kane.

"He's our leader, he's our captain, he leads by example. He's in the shape of his life and on the highest peak of his career, which helps us a lot.

"He has the mindset of a team player. He's ready to lead by example and pushes everybody.

"He's always ready to take responsibility, always ready to perform and help us, so it's a privilege to have him as captain and a privilege to be his coach."

Kane said now is the time for England to show the "best version" of themselves as World Cup reaches the business end.

"Everyone wants to start the tournament perfect," Kane explained. "In an ideal situation, you win every game, you win comfortably, you play amazing football, but that's not always the case.

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"History shows winners of major tournaments very rarely just have a smooth run all the way through.

"We are coming into a period now where we need to show the best version of ourselves, the highest levels that we can reach as a team that we haven't quite reached yet at this tournament.

"Now's the time to express that. We hope we've done all the work to now peak as a team. We go into this moment where the quarter-final, semi-final, final are all within a week, eight days of each other, so it comes really quickly.

"You need your squad more than ever to make sure everyone is ready to make an impact."

Could Henderson still feature at World Cup?

Tuchel has revealed that Jordan Henderson is still hoping to play a part at the World Cup, despite undergoing surgery on a broken arm.

Henderson suffered the injury when he jumped over the advertising hoardings following England’s last-16 win over Mexico.

The 36-year-old underwent surgery in Kansas City, which is England's base for the tournament, and will stay with the squad for the rest of the World Cup.

Henderson was seen at England training with his arm in a cast and Tuchel said with a smile that "according to him, he will be available for the next match".

He told the BBC: "He still tries to convince me that he will be involved in this tournament. I still need some convincing that this is possible. He is without a doubt saying he will play his role here.

"He will stay for sure, that is clear, but he had a long surgery.

"The way we had to leave him there in Mexico, he had a night full of pain in the hospital and another night in the airport, because he couldn't fly out because of weather conditions, so it was just torture for him.

"I cannot praise him enough for how he handled it and how he is now."

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