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 and John Stones have 13 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 opener in 2026 against Croatia.

Pickford and Stones also both made their 25th consecutive major tournament appearances for the Three Lions.

The experienced duo will draw level with Shilton on 17 World Cup appearances if they feature in the next two Group L fixtures - against Ghana and Panama - and the first two knockout rounds, or five games throughout the tournament.

A sixth cap for either player this summer would move them to the top of the list of World Cup appearance makers, with eight potential games should England reach the final or the third place play-off.

Pickford and Stones are not the only current squad members with that record in their sights, though, with captain Harry Kane one cap behind them after starting against Croatia, while Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson are two World Cup caps behind them.

Kane and Rashford also picked up their eleven appearances across the previous two World Cups, while Henderson’s caps have been spread across the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

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 ten caps separating the skipper from Shilton’s total of 125.

In the starting XI against Croatia, the Bayern Munich striker is joint-third on 115 appearances, level with 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 10 World Cup goals, following eight across his previous two tournaments. He is now level with the 10 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.