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Harry Kane continues to be England’s primary source of attacking firepower and the inspirational captain leading his nation. However, former Three Lions forward Stan Collymore has told GOAL that “finishers” such as Ollie Watkins and Anthony Gordon will have vital roles to play at the 2026 World Cup. With the tournament set to unfold across North America, squad depth will be crucial for Thomas Tuchel’s side.

As England’s captain, Kane remains an undisputed starter for the national team. The quest to end six decades of heartbreak in major international tournaments begins on Wednesday against Croatia at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas — a venue more commonly associated with the Dallas Cowboys, one of the biggest franchises in the NFL, known as ‘America’s Team’.

England’s top talents are ready to showcase their skills in high-end surroundings, where a strong start could set the tone for the campaign. Following a career-best season in which he netted 61 goals for Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, Kane will look to add to his record-breaking tally of 79 goals for the national side.

If fit, the 32-year-old will undoubtedly spearhead England’s charge for global glory. Even though others may impress in training, Kane’s name is cemented in the starting XI as the No.9. For other forwards, that could mean accepting that being a substitute may be their most realistic contribution during the tournament.

Former England striker Stan Collymore has shed light on how players like Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, Barcelona’s new signing Anthony Gordon, and Arsenal’s title-winning star Eberechi Eze can maintain the right mindset while waiting for their opportunity on the bench. According to Collymore, all three have plenty to contribute to the team’s success.

Speaking to GOAL in association with BetWright football betting, Collymore said: “I’ve watched Ollie a lot this season — I’ve attended several Villa matches, including the Europa League final in Istanbul. Like most of Villa’s players, he had a slow start, and while the team improved, he wasn’t finding the net. Towards the end of the season, he told fans not to worry, insisting the goals would come. He kept making runs but wasn’t receiving the service. Remember the Spurs performance before the Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest — the entire team struggled, and so did Ollie.”

He continued: “But credit where it’s due, Watkins finished the season brilliantly — performing superbly in the final four or five high-profile matches. He scored against Manchester City on the final day to spoil Pep Guardiola’s farewell, found the net against Liverpool at Villa Park, and starred in the Europa League final. The team went from being barely a one out of ten against Spurs to hitting nines and tens out of ten in their biggest games of the year.”

Collymore added: “He’ll be thinking that in the heat, there’s a strong chance he’ll get at least 30 minutes of playing time. We know Harry Kane likes to drop deeper, and if England struggle to make progress through Kane or from wide areas — with Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, or Gordon on the flanks — then Watkins could be introduced for that half-hour spell.”

Discussing the importance of England’s substitutes, Collymore said: “Every striker wants to play 90 minutes, of course. But the advantage of being a substitute is that you can read the game and be ready to make an impact. Even in 90 or 100-degree heat — maybe less in Dallas since the stadium’s roof will be closed — you’re itching to get on the pitch and make a difference.”

He continued: “Thomas Tuchel has emphasised the squad’s unity — that it’s about 26 players, not just 11. From that perspective, players like Watkins will feel confident that they’ll get their chance. I see him as one of those finishers, along with Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, and Anthony Gordon. I attended the recent friendly against Costa Rica in Orlando, and the second-half players — the so-called finishers — looked sharper and more energetic than in the earlier warm-up against New Zealand.”

“So, those five or six high-energy players coming off the back of strong club seasons — especially someone like Watkins, who ended the season by winning a trophy — will be content with their roles. If this were a situation where Tuchel had a rigid first XI and refused to substitute Kane even when he wasn’t firing, it would be a different story. But now, the mindset is positive — being a finisher is a valuable role. After a gruelling Premier League campaign and playing in extreme conditions, having 30 minutes to make an impression is more than enough for a professional footballer. I don’t think Watkins or others will be disheartened; they’ll have significant parts to play in England’s potential success.”

Looking ahead, Tuchel is expected to rotate his squad as needed, particularly if England secure qualification for the last-32 with wins over Croatia and Ghana within their first two matches. Once the knockout rounds begin, substitutes with fresh legs and creative spark could make the difference — the likes of Watkins, Gordon, Eze, Madueke, and Ivan Toney may well become England’s game-changers on the world’s biggest stage.

The big question remains: how far can England go at the 2026 World Cup?