Marco Bello-Reuters via Imagn Images

Why Is Harry Kane Not Playing Tonight for England Vs Wales?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Marcelo Cartaxo | Last updated Oct 9, 2025 2:27 PM ET

Highlights

Thomas Tuchel called Harry Kane to join England in October.
Kane can't play against Wales.
Rashford is starting the game.

Harry Kane is having the best season of his career so far. In just six Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich in the 2025/26 season, he has scored 11 goals and provided three assists.

In the UEFA Champions League, he’s already netted four goals in two matches, and he’s added two more in the DFB-Pokal.

These numbers put Kane well ahead of everyone else in the early 2026 Ballon d’Or race. At 32, he appears to be in his prime, and things could only get better as Bayern Munich builds toward winning every major competition this season — including the Champions League.

Kane’s form for England has been just as impressive. In five World Cup qualifying matches, he’s scored four goals, helping Thomas Tuchel’s side stay on top of their group.

England could officially qualify for the 2026 World Cup during this international break if they defeat Lavia next Tuesday and Serbia drops points against Albania or Andorra.

Despite suffering an ankle injury in Bayern’s recent Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt, Tuchel still included Kane in the squad for the October fixtures. However, the striker will miss the friendly against Wales as he continues his recovery.

In his absence, Marcus Rashford is expected to start — the Barcelona forward has been in great form across both La Liga and the UEFA Champions League.

England May Not Need Harry Kane After All

While Harry Kane continues treatment during training with England, Thomas Tuchel appears in no rush to put him back on the pitch. If the coach decides to rest the striker for the next game against Lavia, Marcus Rashford is expected to start once again.

Once Kane returns to Munich, Bayern’s medical staff will assess his condition and continue the recovery process — something the club is well known for.

This is the same tackle that knocked Musiala out. Kane is definitely injured but we should thank God he was able to walk and didn‘t break his foot. That was really dangerous pic.twitter.com/9K6S174zUT
— - (@MusialaEra) October 4, 2025

Bayern has built a reputation for keeping its players fit and injury-free, and Kane’s current issue only came after a tough kick to the ankle during the match against Eintracht Frankfurt.

With several key players unavailable — including Jack Grealish, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, James Wharton, and Kane — Tuchel is likely to adopt a more conservative setup in midfield.

Jordan Henderson and Declan Rice could share responsibilities in the center, while Eberechi Eze, Rashford, and Bukayo Saka (or Noni Madueke) lead the attack.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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