England captain Harry Kane surprised fans this week when he confirmed he once played golf with President Donald Trump. Speaking ahead of a World Cup quarterfinal, Kane described the round as a surreal experience. The revelation came after Trump publicly praised the striker earlier in the tournament.
Their meeting took place about 18 months ago in Florida. The story quickly became one of the most talked-about moments away from the pitch at this World Cup.
A surprising golf invite
Kane explained that Trump personally invited him to play golf while he was staying in Palm Beach, and Kane confirmed the visit occurred about 18 months earlier. He said receiving an invitation directly from the president felt unusual. Kane admitted he never expected such a request to come his way during a quiet trip to Florida away from football commitments.
He added that the experience stuck with him long after the round ended. Kane said meeting the president and playing golf with him felt genuinely surreal. For a player used to packed stadiums, sharing a quiet golf course with a world leader offered a very different kind of memorable moment.
Kane confirms the round
Until this week, details of the meeting had stayed private. Kane finally addressed it during a press conference in Miami before England’s clash with Norway. He confirmed he played golf with Trump and again called the experience pretty surreal.
Reporters had been asking about the outing since Trump mentioned it publicly days earlier. Kane kept his comments brief but genuine. He noted the round happened purely through a personal invitation rather than any official arrangement.
Kane seemed comfortable discussing the topic, even as attention around it grew. His tone throughout suggested he viewed the day fondly rather than as anything controversial.
Trump’s golf skills impress
One detail that stood out to Kane was how well Trump actually played. Kane said Trump’s golf game was pretty good and that he hoped to play as well when he reached the president’s age. Given the age gap between them, Kane found this genuinely surprising and worth mentioning.
Golf fans quickly picked up on the comment. Several outlets noted that Kane’s admiration seemed sincere rather than diplomatic. Reports suggested the president’s game at his age surprised the England captain more than anything else that day.
It became one of the most repeated quotes from the entire press conference.
Trump’s praise for Kane
The story actually began with Trump, not Kane. Trump said earlier in the week that he thought Kane was a great player. He mentioned enjoying their round together and spoke warmly about Kane’s ability both on the golf course and the football pitch.
Trump’s comments came shortly after Kane’s standout performance against Mexico. Trump told reporters he liked Kane a lot and called him a good golfer. His remarks helped push the golfing story into the spotlight just as England prepared for their next match.
Fun fact: The Bayern Munich and England striker, Harry Kane, heads into the 2026 World Cup as comfortably the best golfer among the tournament’s players, boasting an impressive handicap of 3.9
Where the round took place
Neither man specified the exact course used for their game. Reports indicate the pair is believed to have played at Trump’s golf club in West Palm Beach. The location aligns with Trump’s known ties to Florida golf properties, which have frequently been mentioned in coverage of his leisure activities.
Palm Beach has long been associated with Trump’s personal life and business interests. Kane happened to be there privately when the invitation arrived. The casual nature of the visit heightened the surprise when details became public among fans and reporters alike.
World Cup timing and context
The timing made the story even bigger. Kane addressed it just before England’s World Cup quarterfinal against Norway. Kane had scored six goals through five matches, making him the country’s all-time leading goal scorer.
His form only added weight to Trump’s public praise. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are jointly hosting this year’s tournament. Trump has shown noticeable interest throughout, attending matches and commenting on results.
This backdrop made his earlier comments about Kane feel part of the wider excitement surrounding America’s role as host of the World Cup.
Backlash to Kane’s comments
Not everyone welcomed Kane’s remarks warmly. His confirmation of the golf outing, along with his complimentary comments about Trump, sparked significant online criticism. Some critics felt an athlete of his profile should avoid appearing friendly with a politically divisive figure.
Journalists and fans debated whether Kane should have stayed quiet on the subject. Others defended him, arguing that a private round of golf years earlier carried little political meaning. The disagreement showed how even small personal stories can quickly turn into wider public debate.
What comes next for Kane
For now, Kane remains focused on football rather than golf. He and England were preparing for a difficult quarterfinal matchup against a strong Norway side. Kane’s scoring record kept him firmly in contention for the tournament’s Golden Boot award as competition intensified deep into the World Cup.
Whether another round with Trump happens remains unclear. Some reports speculated a rematch could occur once the World Cup concludes. For now, Kane’s attention stays on lifting England toward its first semifinal appearance since 1966, leaving the golf story as a memorable side note.
Little-known fact: A Bavarian restaurant owner delivers a free schnitzel to Kane’s house after every goal he scores.
TL;DR
- Harry Kane confirmed he played golf with President Trump in Florida about 18 months ago.
- Trump personally invited Kane to play while he was in Palm Beach.
- Kane called the experience surreal and praised Trump’s golf skills.
- The round is believed to have taken place at Trump’s West Palm Beach club.
- Kane’s comments sparked both admiration and criticism online.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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