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 both have 12 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.

The experienced duo will draw level with Shilton on 17 World Cup appearances if they feature in all three Group L fixtures - against Croatia, 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, Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson all just one World Cup cap 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, meanwhile, has the opportunity to climb the list of England’s all-time record appearance holders this summer, with just eleven caps separating the skipper from Shilton’s total of 125.

The Bayern Munich striker currently sits joint fourth with Steven Gerrard on 114 appearances, but a single cap will draw him level with former captain Sir David Beckham (115 caps) in third.

Kane, who sits clear at the top of the England all-time record goalscorers list with 79 strikes, could even rise as high as second on the all-time caps list should he play seven times at the World Cup, which would see him overtake Wayne Rooney (120 caps).