### England's Star Striker Harry Kane to Miss Friendly Against Wales Due to Injury Harry Kane, the captain of the England national football team, will not participate in the upcoming friendly match against Wales scheduled for October 9, 2025. This decision comes after Kane sustained a painful ankle injury during his last game with Bayern Munich, where he collided with the opposition goalkeeper. The injury has raised concerns about his fitness for future matches, particularly the World Cup qualifier against Latvia, which is set to take place shortly after the friendly against Wales. England has not lost to Wales at Wembley since 1977, adding significance to this match for both teams [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/england-striker-kane-to-miss-friendly-with-wales][https://www.businessupturn.com/sports/soccer/harry-kane-ruled-out-of-englands-upcoming-game-after-suffering-painful-knock]. ### Breakdown of Kane's Injury Situation and Implications 1. **Injury Details**: - Kane suffered an ankle injury during a Bundesliga match against Eintracht Frankfurt, which has led to his absence from training and the upcoming friendly [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2025/10/08/england-captain-kane-could-miss-wales-friendly]. 2. **Coaching Insights**: - Thomas Tuchel, Kane's coach at Bayern Munich, confirmed that Kane would miss the friendly but expressed optimism about his recovery in time for the World Cup qualifier against Latvia [https://www.mykhel.com/football/harry-kane-misses-wales-friendly-due-to-injury-011-389229.html]. 3. **Potential Replacements**: - With Kane sidelined, Ollie Watkins is expected to step into the starting lineup for the match against Wales [https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/breaking-harry-kane-injury-england-36032861]. 4. **Historical Context**: - The match against Wales is particularly significant as England has maintained a strong record against them at Wembley, not losing since 1977, which adds pressure on the team to perform well even without their captain [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/harry-kane-injury-england-wales-tuchel-b2842014.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Injury Timeline**: - October 4, 2025: Kane reassured fans he would be fit for upcoming matches despite an injury scare [https://apnews.com/article/kane-england-bayern-injury-d4f9e2fda4fbf5b9affd3a1f879c2cc3]. - October 5, 2025: Reports indicated Kane was doubtful for the Wales friendly due to an ankle injury [https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/international-football/harry-kane-injury-doubtful-wales-friendly-world-cup-qualification-latest-news-updates/article70139399.ece]. - October 8, 2025: Confirmation of Kane's absence from the friendly was made by multiple sources, including Tuchel [https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/harry-kane-injury-england-wales-tuchel-b2842014.html]. ### Conclusion: Kane's Absence and Future Prospects In summary, **Harry Kane's injury will prevent him from playing in the friendly against Wales**, a match that holds historical significance for England. The team will need to adapt without their captain, with Ollie Watkins likely to take his place. **Looking ahead, there is hope that Kane will recover in time for the crucial World Cup qualifier against Latvia**, which will be vital for England's campaign. The situation underscores the unpredictability of sports injuries and their impact on team dynamics and performance [https://www.businessupturn.com/sports/soccer/harry-kane-ruled-out-of-englands-upcoming-game-after-suffering-painful-knock][https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/harry-kane-injury-england-wales-tuchel-b2842014.html].