As England gears up for its crucial World Cup quarter-final against Norway this Saturday, captain Harry Kane has disclosed that he enjoyed a round of golf with Donald Trump, labeling the encounter as “I played all right, to be honest,” and commending the former president’s skills on the course.
On July 6, Trump caught reporters off guard by revealing his past golf outing with Kane, praising the England striker as an exceptional player and golfer.
In response to a journalist’s inquiry regarding Trump’s remarks and his own performance during the game, Kane confirmed that the match occurred approximately 18 months ago in Palm Beach, Florida.
“Yeah, we played about 18 months ago. He invited me to play when I was down in Palm Beach, so yeah, when the president invites you somewhere … it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and obviously play golf with him.” Kane noted. “His golf’s pretty good, to be honest with you,”
Kane, who is currently on break with his club, Bayern Munich, from late December 2024 to early January 2025, implied that the round preceded the commencement of Trump’s second term.
The England striker, who has previously stated a 3 handicap in golf, lauded Trump’s performance. “I hope I can play golf as good as him when I’m his age, that’s for sure. “So yeah, unique experience but yeah, I was just grateful he invited me down to play.” Kane remarked. “Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!”
He expressed gratitude for the unique opportunity, stating, “I think Kane is a great player,”
Following England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in the round of 16 on July 5, Trump took to social media to praise Kane, declaring, “I played golf with him and I like him a lot. He’s a good golfer. He’s really great.” The next day, he mentioned their golf session.
Trump added, “Bleak, bleak. You don’t just pal around with someone like that,”
Kane’s acknowledgment of his golf outing with Trump has incited criticism on social media, particularly from those opposed to the president.
Writer Musa Okwonga expressed his disapproval, saying, “Harry Kane just begging for the Trump Curse to come a-knocking,”
Political scientist Jules Boykoff, author of the book Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine, humorously suggested that Kane might be tempting fate by associating with Trump, who attended the only game during the NBA finals that the New York Knicks lost before they eventually claimed the championship in June.
“Guess Harry Kane has no issues with being a dumb sports washing tool for authoritarianism,” Boykoff quipped.
Some American football fans remarked that rival strikers like Kylian Mbappé, known for his public criticism of the French far right, and Norway’s Erling Haaland would likely have declined an invitation to play golf with Trump.
Former aide to late Democratic senator Harry Reid, Murshed Zaheed, criticized Kane, stating, “Screw this guy. He certainly is no Mbappe. Hope Norway wins.”
