The England players closing in on FIFA World Cup history

While adding a second star to the shirt is the sole focus for Thomas Tuchel’s squad at the FIFA World Cup 2026, a number of players also have the opportunity to make individual history across the Atlantic this summer.

Legendary former goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who remains England’s all-time record appearance holder with 125 caps, has also represented his country in more World Cup fixtures than any other player.

But his record of 17 appearances - which were earned across the 1982, 1986 and 1990 tournaments - could be surpassed if the Three Lions make it to the quarter-finals this time around.

Jordan Pickford now has 15 World Cup caps to their name, having played together during England’s run to the 2018 semi-finals in Russia and the last eight at Qatar 2022 before starting in England's group stage games in 2026 against Croatia, Ghana and Panama. John Stones is just behind Pickford on 13 World Cup appearances.

Pickford and Stones also both made their 25th consecutive major tournament appearances for the Three Lions in the game with Croatia on 17 June.

This means Pickford could draw level with Shilton on 17 World Cup appearances if he features in the first two knockout rounds should England progress that far, or a total of five games throughout the tournament.
 
Pickford is not the only current squad member with that record in their sights, though, with captain Harry Kane one cap behind him while Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson are also close behind them.

Henderson made his own history in the final group game against Panama, when his appearance as a second-half substitute saw him become the first England men's player to represent the Three Lions on the pitch at four separate World Cups.

See England's World Cup squad in numbers here.

The trio would need to feature in six matches in the United States, Canada and Mexico to draw level with Shilton’s record - providing it has not already been surpassed by Pickford or Stones - which would mean playing in every game up to and including the quarter-finals.

To finish the tournament atop the list of England’s World Cup appearance makers, Kane, Rashford and Henderson would need to play an extra game - either the semi-final or final - and see Pickford and Stones finish the tournament with no more than six new caps.

Kane aiming for more history

Kane, meanwhile, has the opportunity to climb the list of England’s all-time record appearance holders this summer, with just eight caps separating the skipper from Shilton’s total of 125.

In the starting XI against Panama, the Bayern Munich striker is now on 117 appearances, passing Sir David Beckham. Next in his sight is second-placed Wayne Rooney's total of 120 caps. 

Kane has only taken one match to make World Cup history with his goalscoring exploits for England.

After netting twice in the first half against Croatia, he is on ten World Cup goals, following eight across his previous two tournaments. He is now level with the ten goals Gary Lineker scored across the FIFA World Cups in 1986 and 1990.

And if he gets one more goal, he will hold that record outright.