Bellingham and Saka hit new England milestones

England pair Jude Bellingham is closing in on his 50th cap for the senior team at the FIFA World Cup 2026, while Bukayo Saka became the latest player to reach his half-century.

Saka came on as a second-half substitute against Croatia in England's opener, to win his 50th Three Lions cap at the age of 24 years and 285 days. He becomes just the fourth England men's player to reach the landmark before turning 25.

The Arsenal winger made his senior debut against Wales in October 2020 and has since established himself as one of the first names on the England teamsheet, featuring at two World Cups, the delayed EURO 2020 and EURO 2024.

Saka joins Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and Raheem Sterling as the only England players to earn 50 caps before their 25th birthday.

Only Rooney, Owen and Sterling reached the milestone at a younger age. England have won 29 of Saka's first 49 appearances, while the winger has contributed 14 goals during that period.

But Bellingham could hit the milestone at an even younger age in the World Cup group stage.

That milestone could come when England play Ghana in their second Group L fixture at 9pm BST on Tuesday 23 June, when Bellingham will be aged 22 years and 359 days. Rooney has held the record since April 2009, when he brought up his 50th cap aged 23 years and 159 days.

And Bellingham also becomes the youngest European player in history to feature at four major men's tournaments (World Cups and EUROs), beating the record set by Germany's Jamal Musiala when he featured in their World Cup opener against Curaçao earlier this week. 

Youngest men's players to reach 50 caps

Wayne Rooney: 50th cap at 23 years, 159 days
Michael Owen: 23 years 179 days
Raheem Sterling: 24 years 180 days
Marcus Rashford: 25 years 34 days
Declan Rice: 25 years 72 days
Ashley Cole: 25 years 187 days
Bobby Moore: 25 years 218 days
Ray Wilkins: 25 years 284 days
Alan Ball: 26 years 3 days
Steven Gerrard: 26 years 99 days

Youngest European players to play in four major tournaments

Jude Bellingham (England): 22y 353d
Jamal Musiala (Germany): 23y 108d
Pedri (Spain): 23y 202d
Jérémy Doku (Belgium): 24y 19d
Michael Owen (England): 24y 182d
Lukas Podolski (Germany): 25y 9d

Where Bellingham and Saka stand

Jude Bellingham: 49 caps*. Age when he can reach 50 caps v Ghana: 22 years, 359 days
Bukayo Saka: 50 caps*. Age when he reached 50 caps v Croatia: 24 years, 285 days

Bellingham, who made his England debut as a 17 year old in November 2020, would comfortably surpass that mark and add another milestone to a career that has already seen him feature at three major international tournaments.

The 22-year-old could also move to within one victory of another Three Lions record. England have won 32 of Bellingham's first 48 appearances, already matching the tally achieved by several established internationals across their first 50 caps.

Victory over Croatia would move him onto 33 wins from 49 caps, while another England win in what could be his 50th appearance would take him to 34 victories.

Only Martin Peters, Steven Gerrard and Tom Finney have recorded more wins in their first 50 England appearances, with each registering 35.

The Three Lions began their tournament against Croatia on Wednesday before they take on Ghana in their second Group L fixture six days later, and concluding the group stage against Panama at 10pm BST on Saturday 27 June, with both Saka and Bellingham closing in on places in the England record books.