Harry Kane and Co will remind us all that football is a simple game at World Cup

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Given the nature of their position and job, it is no surprise the list of World Cup top-scorers is dominated by centre-forwards. Someone in the number nine position - whether wearing the number or not - has been at the top of the scoring charts for every tournament bar 2014, 1974 and 1950.

And in 1950, whatever passed for the Golden Boot went to Ademir, of Brazil, who played as a second striker. The most prolific scorer at World Cup 1974 was a winger, Poland’s Grzegorz Lato, and, in 2014, Colombia’s James Rodriguez was the leading marksman from his attacking midfield position.

Honours were shared in 2010 and 1962 but centre-forwards were amongst those groups. The pattern was set in 1930 when Guillermo Stabile scored eight goals in four matches playing up top and central for losing finalists Argentina.

But World Cup 2026 should, fitness permitting, see one of the most intriguing centre-forward battles in the history of the competition. As if it were needed, the final stages of European qualification have shown that three in particular are in the form of their lives.

Harry Kane scored eight of England’s 22 goals and scored in six of the eight qualifiers. Kylian Mbappe scored five of France’s 16 goals but only played in four of their six matches. Erling Haaland scored 16 of Norway’s 37 goals and scored in all eight qualifiers.

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For their clubs this season, Harry Kane has scored 23 goals in 17 matches, Mbappe 18 in 16 and Haaland 19 in 15. Over their entire international careers, the figures are equally impressive, Kane scoring 78 in 112 appearances, Mbappe 55 in 94 and Haaland 55 in only 48.

But if you are thinking about who might be the most valuable at World Cup 2026, it is worth considering Mbappe also has 40 assists, compared to 19 for Kane and only six for Haaland. The consistency of the trio is remarkable and, to slightly varying degrees, they deliver on the big occasions.

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Even when he has been struggling for form and fitness, Kane has contributed to crucial games. Mbappe, of course, scored a hat-trick in the final of World Cup 2022, albeit without lifting the trophy.

And now, in what should be seen as an added allure to the whole competition, we will get to see Haaland on a grand international stage. Norway, a nation with five million people, has reached the World Cup on three previous occasions but the last time was in 1998.

They also took part in 1938 and 1994, when Erling’s dad, Alfie Inge, played. For the Norwegians to top a group that included Italy - who they beat home and away - is a fantastic achievement and Haaland, of course, was the superstar of the qualifying show.

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And while they also boast Premier League talents in the form of Martin Odegaard, Oscar Bobb and Jurgen Strand Larsen, all eyes will be on Haaland in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Even though England’s strength seems to be much deeper, it can still be argued that if Kane was to be unavailable, his loss would be as damaging to England as Haaland’s would be to Norway.

Even though Kane has seven years on Haaland and six years on Mbappe, the England captain still seems to be developing his game. The bottom line is that all three are talismanic characters, talismanic players.

And in an era when tactical nuances are pored over obsessively, they remind us of the beautiful game’s simplicity. If your centre-forward scores plenty of goals, there is no limit to your hopes and ambitions. Roll on World Cup 2026.

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