England captain Harry Kane is a doubt against USA, after going down with an ankle injury in the World Cup 2022 opener
(Image credit: Liu Lu/VCG via Getty Images)
England captain Harry Kane is to have a scan on his ankle ahead of the World Cup 2022 fixture against the United States.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker was substituted in the second half of the Three Lions' 6-2 romp over Iran, with Callum Wilson coming on in his place for the last 12 minutes of regulation time. Kane went down injured much earlier, however – and has a history of ankle injuries throughout his career.
Iranian defender Morteza Pouraliganji clattered into Kane in the 48th minute of the match, with the No.9 requiring treatment at the beginning of the second half. Kane managed to struggle on for a further half hour before being replaced. In photos captured by The Athletic journalist David Ornstein, Harry Kane was then seen limping through the mixed-media zone.
England captain Harry Kane is now an injury doubt for the final two group games against the United States and Wales, after a tackle on his ankle against Iran (Image credit: Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images)
Kane also had strapping on his right ankle: the same ankle he was holding following the challenge by Pouraliganji. He didn't mention the injury during his address to his followers on social media, though Ornstein suggested that England's talisman, "seems to have escaped serious injury".
The scan may just be just a precaution.
Callum Wilson has been in red-hot form for Newcastle United this season – and now finds himself as the first option to lead the line for his country, should Harry Kane fail to recover from the suspected ankle injury he picked up against Iran (Image credit: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Kane will have just four days to rest and recover his ankle in time for the second group game of the tournament. 2018's Golden Boot winner has not scored yet to get onto the charts for 2022 but did manage to record two assists in the thrashing.
Should he fail to be fully fit in time, England's final game of the group stages is against Wales next Tuesday, in what could be a truly decisive fixture.
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
