England soccer captain Harry Kane has described playing golf with President Donald Trump as a «surreal experience,» revealing the round took place about a year and a half ago in Florida. The 32-year-old striker, who is the all-time leading goal scorer for England, said the invitation came while he was in Palm Beach.
«He invited me to play when I was down in Palm Beach. When the President invites you somewhere, it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and to play golf with him,» Kane said Friday, according to the New York Post. The English star also complimented Trump’s golf game, adding, «His golf is pretty good, to be honest with you. I hope I can play as well as him when I’m his age, that’s for sure. Unique experience. Grateful he invited me down to play with him.»
Trump has returned the praise publicly. After Kane scored a goal in England’s 3-2 win over Mexico on Sunday, the president posted on Truth Social: «Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!» Speaking to reporters, Trump added, «I think Kane is a great player. I played golf with him and I like him a lot. He’s a good golfer too. He’s really great,» according to ESPN.
The meeting between Kane and Trump adds a layer of personal connection as England prepares for a high-stakes World Cup quarterfinal against Norway on Saturday. Kane has been in exceptional form, scoring six goals in England’s five World Cup matches so far. He has netted 85 goals in 119 appearances for his country, cementing his status as one of the sport’s elite strikers.
England’s path to the quarterfinals has been challenging. The team secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Mexico, a match that drew record global viewership. In that game, England played a man down for nearly 30 minutes after Jarell Quansah received a red card, yet managed to hold on for the win. Earlier, they struggled against Congo before Kane scored two late goals to secure victory. In the group stage, England beat Panama 2-0, drew with Ghana, and defeated Croatia 4-2.
Norway, meanwhile, has been powered by Erling Haaland, who has scored seven goals in the tournament and found the net in each of his last 14 international appearances. Haaland is a leading contender for the Golden Boot and has become a fan favorite, with his energetic style and goal-scoring prowess drawing widespread attention on social media. Norway’s only loss came against France in a match where Haaland did not play. They have otherwise defeated Senegal 3-2, Iraq 4-1, and Brazil 2-1, with Haaland scoring a header and a deflected goal in the latter.
The quarterfinal clash between England and Norway is widely regarded as one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament. Both teams feature superstar strikers in Kane and Haaland, and the game is expected to be decided by which supporting cast steps up. England will be without Quansah due to suspension, but still has playmakers like Jude Bellingham, who has scored four goals in the World Cup. Norway relies heavily on Haaland but has shown depth in its victories.
Kane’s off-field encounter with Trump has drawn attention, but the focus remains on the pitch. The match is set for 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, with the winner advancing to the semifinals. For Kane, the memory of playing golf with a U.S. president will remain a unique footnote in a career already filled with remarkable achievements.