Harry Kane: 'England must not worry about past teams at 2018 World Cup'

Kane: 'England must not worry about the past'

Harry Kane has stressed that England must not worry about the nation's previous failures at World Cup level and insisted that the players must "enjoy the occasion" at this summer's tournament.

The Three Lions famously won the World Cup in 1966 but since then have not got past the semi-finals, while efforts at the European Championships have also failed to yield a final appearance.

The last 10 years have been especially tough for England at major tournaments, without a single knockout-stage win to their name.

However, Tottenham Hotspur striker Kane is adamant that the current crop has its own identity and must not let the failures of the past weigh on their shoulders when they head to Russia.

"The main thing is to believe it can be different," the Three Lions captain told Sky Sports News. "It's been tough because for the last 50 years we haven't won anything.

"We've got to stay focused on ourselves and not worry about the teams in the past.

"We're our own team and our own identity. We've got to enjoy the occasion and we can't wait to get out there and get started."

England start their World Cup campaign against Tunisia in Volgograd on June 18, with Belgium and Panama also in Group G.

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