England captain Harry Kane will lead his team against Croatia on Monday evening at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, marking the start of his nation’s World Cup campaign on American soil. The arena holds particular significance for Kane, who has long admired the ethos of American sports culture, drawing inspiration from its “never-say-die” spirit and the broader concept of the American dream.

Kane's connection to the United States dates back to 2011, early in his professional career at Tottenham Hotspur, when he began following American football. He was particularly captivated by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, whose journey from an underestimated 199th pick in the 2000 NFL draft to a seven-time Super Bowl champion resonated deeply with him. Kane witnessed Brady’s Patriots secure their sixth title in Atlanta in 2019 and maintains a personal relationship with the star quarterback.

Beyond Brady, Kane is an avid follower of various American sports personalities and enjoys spending time in the U.S., especially in New York and Florida. He has appeared on American television shows such as Jimmy Fallon and Good Morning America, where he once expressed an interest in pursuing a career as an NFL kicker after retiring from professional soccer.

Kane’s trajectory mirrors the quintessential American dream narrative—rising from modest beginnings at Spurs to becoming England’s record goalscorer and securing a high-profile transfer to Bayern Munich in 2023. Since joining Bayern, Kane has enjoyed a prolific period, scoring 61 goals in 51 appearances during the 2023-24 season, winning the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal. This success also represents a shift in public perception; unlike earlier in his career when titles eluded him, Kane now carries the confidence of a proven winner.

Monday’s match in Dallas, an NFL venue and home to the Dallas Cowboys, is the first World Cup fixture for England on U.S. soil. England’s second group match against Ghana will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts—the home ground of the Patriots and a place Kane has yet to visit but is eager to experience.

Kane will earn his 115th England cap in the match against Croatia, equaling David Beckham as the country’s third most-capped male player, trailing only Peter Shilton and Wayne Rooney. With 79 international goals, nine of which have come in knockout stages of major tournaments, Kane continues to approach significant scoring milestones, including closing in on Gary Lineker’s England World Cup goal record.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Kane said he feels physically and mentally prepared and recognizes the expectations placed upon him as England’s primary scorer. “Throughout a career, there aren’t loads of times when all the pieces of the puzzle will come together at the right moment,” he noted. With a successful season behind him and more experience to draw on, Kane aims to lead England deep into the competition and add a World Cup title to his list of achievements.