Thomas Tuchel has expressed confidence in Harry Kane's readiness to lead England at the upcoming World Cup. The Bayern Munich striker, who has faced fitness challenges in past tournaments, appears to be in peak form, having enjoyed a stellar season in Germany.

In preparation for the World Cup's intense heat, England has traveled to Florida for acclimatization, training in the challenging conditions of West Palm Beach. Tuchel emphasized that England's success relies heavily on Kane remaining injury-free. Despite previous struggles at Euro 2024, Kane remains a crucial player for the national team, and Tuchel's backing reinforces this.

“He looks in top shape,” Tuchel noted. “He looks lean, sharp and he trains at the highest level. He is leading by example.” The manager highlighted Kane's adaptability to high-intensity training and his readiness for the upcoming matches.

The first warm-up game against New Zealand is scheduled for Saturday at 4 PM local time (9 PM BST), with temperatures expected to reach 32°C and humidity around 40%. Tuchel plans to utilize two different lineups, allowing players to either build energy or recover.

Tuchel also mentioned Ollie Watkins as Kane's primary understudy, while Ivan Toney could serve as a wildcard option in specific scenarios. He praised Toney's finishing skills and overall attitude, reinforcing Kane's status as the main striker.

Addressing concerns about the pitch conditions at Raymond James Stadium, Tuchel remained optimistic, stating, “We have a greenkeeper who takes care of it.” England's final friendly will be against Costa Rica in Orlando on Wednesday, before their first Group L match against Croatia in Dallas on June 15.