Sir Geoff Hurst, England's 1966 FIFA World Cup final hero, has declared Harry Kane the greatest striker ever to pull on an England shirt — a verdict delivered at Wembley Stadium on 15 July, just days before the Three Lions face Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final. Hurst, the only England man to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final, said Kane's record, leadership, and big-game temperament put him above every predecessor.

Hurst's Verdict on Kane

'It's going to be hard to beat the goals he's scored, so I'd say he's England's best,' Hurst said ahead of the last-four clash. He elaborated: 'His record now is just amazing for his appearances and the goals he's scoring and doing it in important games as we've seen in this tournament. His leadership is obvious, and that's important. He's talking to the players after a game, when they're in the huddle and so on. Of course he's also a great example with his attitude, behaviour and the way he plays.'

Kane's Record-Breaking Tournament

The Bayern Munich striker has been central to England's run at FIFA World Cup 2026, delivering decisive goals in the knockout rounds and becoming the nation's all-time leading World Cup scorer during the tournament. Kane also surpassed Bobby Moore — the captain who lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy at Wembley in 1966 — to become England's most-capped captain, adding another historic milestone to an already remarkable international career.

Kane Compared to Bobby Moore

Hurst drew a direct line between Kane's captaincy and that of Moore, widely regarded as England's greatest-ever leader. 'There are certain people in walks of life, whether it's business or football, that emerge from within a group of people who automatically see them as the boss, the captain. In my time it was quite evidently Bobby Moore,' Hurst said. 'That's how he was and acted as a kid… the players and management saw him as the ideal man to be captain. And I think Harry Kane is absolutely in that same mould, not just on the field but off the field with all the stuff they do together,' he added.

England's Path to the Semi-Final

England reached the final four after overcoming Norway in extra time, with Kane playing a pivotal role through goals, link-up play, and on-field communication. Manager Thomas Tuchel's side now stand one win away from their first World Cup final since 1966. The Argentina match represents the stiffest test yet — and, according to Hurst, Kane is exactly the man built for it.

What's Next

The England vs Argentina semi-final is the standout fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage, carrying the weight of two of football's most storied rivalries. A Kane performance to match the occasion could settle the debate Hurst has already called — and push England closer to ending six decades of hurt.