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Harry Kane tipped for World Cup final hat-trick! England’s 1966 hero Sir Geoff Hurst makes daring prediction as the record-breaking striker seeks to end six decades of disappointment.

Sir Geoff Hurst has expressed his belief that Harry Kane could match his own legendary accomplishment by netting a hat-trick in a World Cup final. The 1966 World Cup legend is confident that the current England captain can finally deliver the international success that the nation has craved for 60 years.

A legend’s bold forecast for Kane

Hurst remains the only footballer to have ever scored a hat-trick in a World Cup final, achieving the feat during England’s 4-2 victory over West Germany in 1966 — a triumph that secured the nation’s sole World Cup title to date. The hero of that historic day is now ready to see England’s current talisman take up the mantle. As the last surviving member of the starting XI from that iconic match, Hurst is convinced that Kane possesses the quality and temperament to produce a similarly unforgettable performance on football’s biggest stage.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the former West Ham striker spoke candidly about the possibility of the Bayern Munich forward replicating his famous treble. “It would not shock me if we won it,” Hurst said. “And it would not surprise me if Kane scored three in the final. I am not envious of that. No one would be happier than me if it were to happen again.”

The burden of national hope

Kane heads into the upcoming tournament as England’s all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals, following an extraordinary season in Germany where he found the net 61 times for Bayern Munich. While Hurst acknowledges Kane’s world-class ability, he also recognises the immense expectations being placed on the 32-year-old to deliver a long-awaited trophy on his own.

Hurst cautioned that the responsibility must be shared across Thomas Tuchel’s squad rather than being focused solely on the captain. “I just think that it puts a bit too much pressure on Harry,” Hurst said. “It’s not about one player. He will be a very important part of the team but it is a team that wins a match, not an individual.”

Pathway to football immortality

Despite Kane’s prolific record at club level — where he left Tottenham Hotspur without a major trophy but quickly ended that drought at Bayern Munich by claiming two Bundesliga titles, the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup — Hurst believes that lifting the World Cup would elevate the striker’s reputation to a new global level. The former England forward knows from experience that international glory forges a lifelong bond between players and their supporters.

Reflecting on the transformative power of such success, Hurst remarked: “I’m sure Kane is already adored by Spurs fans and Bayern Munich supporters, whether we win the World Cup or not, but winning the World Cup will give him a certain stature regarding what he’s achieved at club level. They will be revered immediately for the rest of their lives.”

Adapting to Mexico’s demanding conditions

England face a demanding route that could lead them back to Mexico, a setting Hurst remembers well from the 1970 World Cup. The Three Lions have been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama, with their opening match against Croatia set for June 17. Hurst warned that the climate and playing conditions will pose significant challenges, stressing that maintaining possession will be crucial if England are to progress deep into the tournament.

“It’s going to be very difficult, particularly in Mexico. I’ve played there. The skill required to keep the ball, to avoid giving it away — that’s vital. Chasing the ball on a hot day in Mexico is tough, and it can take much longer to win it back. That’s the main issue, I think, for English players competing there, as we experienced in 1970,” Hurst explained, recalling England’s quarter-final exit to West Germany more than half a century ago.

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