Sir Harry Kane? MPs call for England football captain to be knighted
Key Points
- MPs have tabled a motion for Harry Kane to be awarded a knighthood for his performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Kane, who captains the England side, has been praised for scoring two goals against DR Congo that saved the team's World Cup dreams.
- The Lib Dems have supported the campaign to knight the England captain, noting that he has now scored more world cup goals than Pelé.
- England is now in the quarter-finals and will face Norway at 10pm on Saturday.
A motion has been tabled in Parliament to award England captain Harry Kane to be awarded a knighthood for his performance in the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
The motion was tabled by the Liberal Democrats last week, following Kane’s outstanding performance in England’s game against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In England’s Round of 32 knockout game against DR Congo on Wednesday 1 July, the team conceded an early goal to Brian Cipenga which saw them facing the possibility of elimination from the tournament.
Kane, who captains England from the position of centre forward, responded with two goals in quick succession in the last 15 minutes of the game, putting England back on top and seeing the team through to its Round of 16 game against Mexico earlier this week.
England went on to play Mexico in the early hours of Monday morning, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer passing legislation to enable pubs to stay open until 5am to show the game, and emerged victorious – putting them in the quarter finals.
In her motion, Lib Dem MP Layla Moran argues that Kane should be awarded a knighthood for his efforts in England’s game against DR Congo, noting that the England captain has now scored more goals at world cups than celebrated Brazilian football legend Pelé and that his two goals in the Round of 32 game kept the team’s World Cup dreams alive.
Moran urged other MPs to sign up to the campaign and get behind the England captain.
“Harry Kane has shown inspirational leadership and character on and off the pitch – championing the very values that make our country so great,” Moran said.
“If Andy Burnham wants to kick off his premiership on the right foot he should back my campaign. This is about bringing the country together. I hope every England fan encourages their MP to sign!”
“…let’s make sure Harry Kane comes home not just with the trophy, but with a well-deserved knighthood,” she added.
25 MPs have signed to support the motion, including Labour MP Luke Myer and Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon.
England is set to face off against Norway in the World Cup quarter-final at 10pm BST on Saturday 11 July. The game will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
