Donald Trump questions Harry Kane’s defensive role for England

By Harry Sutton — 18 July 2026 — 4 min read

United States President Donald Trump has voiced criticism regarding England’s tactical approach in their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, specifically questioning Harry Kane’s defensive positioning during the second half. This comes after England’s 2-1 loss, where Argentina scored two late goals to secure their place in the final against Spain.

Manager Thomas Tuchel’s second-half substitutions have drawn scrutiny from both pundits and supporters following the match. England had taken the lead through Anthony Gordon, but Tuchel subsequently shifted to a back five and introduced several defensive-minded players in the closing stages. This tactical change occurred as Lionel Messi led Argentina’s comeback.

Speaking at a Fifa reception, Trump commented on Kane’s role. He stated, “You have a great player in England who I’ve played golf with. And he is Harry who has been fantastic.” Trump further added, “I think they perhaps made a mistake when they made him a defensive player. What do I know about soccer? They took the lead, and they took their best player and put him on defence.” He concluded by saying, “I thought that was a little unusual, but Harry is a great guy actually.”

Tactical Decisions Under Scrutiny

The criticism surrounding Tuchel’s tactics has been significant, with some questioning his continued role as England coach. However, the Football Association has publicly supported him, and his contract was previously extended through 2028. Tuchel himself later dismissed Trump’s comments during a news conference.

England’s lead against Argentina on Wednesday came in the second half, bringing them within minutes of their first men’s World Cup final since 1966. However, Anthony Gordon’s goal was followed by a late strike from Enzo Fernandez and an even later header by Lautaro Martinez, leading to Argentina’s victory in Atlanta.

Trump’s remarks were made at Trump Tower during a reception on Friday. He also discussed his communication with Fifa President Gianni Infantino regarding USA striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match suspension. Balogun, aged 25, was initially set to miss his side’s last-16 match against Belgium after receiving a straight red card for a foul on Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic in the preceding round.

Fifa made the decision to suspend the automatic one-match ban for 12 months, a move that drew widespread criticism. Trump described the tournament as “like no other. Filled with fierce competition, unforgettable moments.” He mentioned his interaction with Infantino, stating, “I said ‘Gianni, I’d like to make a recommendation. Let the guy in the game!’ No, I didn’t say that. I said I’d like to wage a complaint.”

Controversy and World Cup Success

Trump’s comments regarding Fifa’s decision on Balogun’s ban have been described as potentially fueling a significant controversy for the World Cup. Infantino had previously denied that Trump’s lobbying influenced the decision, asserting the independence of Fifa’s disciplinary committee. However, Trump’s recent statements could reinforce suspicions about political interference affecting the integrity of the competition.

The appearance of Trump and Infantino together at Trump Tower highlights their close relationship, which critics argue may compromise Fifa’s commitment to political neutrality. Despite these concerns, both Trump and Infantino have pointed to record ticket sales and strong television viewership in the US as indicators of the tournament’s success.

The expanded tournament, hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada, has been praised for its drama and excitement, with many visitors expressing satisfaction with the stadiums and security measures. Infantino described the World Cup as having “exceeded expectations” and referred to it as “the greatest human, social and cultural event that mankind has ever witnessed.”

However, the tournament has also faced questions regarding the financial costs for fans and concerns from traditionalists about potential further expansion to 64 teams, along with the commercialisation of the event. Additionally, visa-related issues at the start of the tournament led to claims that Infantino had lost control and faced criticism for telling critics to “chill and relax.”

Despite these challenges, Infantino appeared confident in his position alongside Trump. Fifa is projected to achieve record revenues of $9bn this year, a significant factor as many countries rely on these funds for football development. This financial strength is seen as a key reason for Infantino’s strong support globally, making his re-election next year seem likely.

The 2026 World Cup marked the first time the tournament featured 48 teams, an expansion from the previous 32, and Infantino has suggested that the next men’s World Cup, scheduled for Saudi Arabia in 2030, could potentially include 64 teams.

Source: bbc.co.uk