LONDON: Harry Kane insists England are not afraid to say they can win the 2022 World Cup and believes their lackluster form of late has helped lower expectations for the team.

The squad coached by Gareth Southgate is labeled as one of the favorites to win the tournament after reaching the semi-finals of the 2018 edition and emerging as runners-up in Euro 2020 last year.

However, Kane believes The Three Lions are capable of going further in the Middle East and lifting the World Cup trophy since they last won it in 1966.

“We have to believe we can win it.

“I look back at England 10, 15 years ago and it was almost like we were afraid to say we wanted to win it. I think one of the big changes we’ve made over the last four or five years with Gareth is we’re not afraid to say it.

“But I think it’s important that we’re not afraid to say that’s the main reason we’re going there,” Kane said in an interview with Sky Sports.

However, England came to this year’s World Cup campaign with a less than encouraging performance when they failed to win any Nations Cup competition which saw them relegated to the B League.

Southgate’s men, who open their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21, are looking for a first win in seven games after drawing three and losing three but Kane believes their poor form has helped lower expectations ahead of the Qatar clash.

“The first game is very important. It’s certainly not the best period in a long time for England. Since Gareth took over – we’ve never been through what we’re going through now.

“However, this situation can also be a good thing before a big tournament because it allows you not to get carried away, including the media,” said Kane.