The England players making FIFA World Cup history

While competing at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as a squad this summer, a number of players in Thomas Tuchel's squad have also have the opportunity to make individual history across the Atlantic in international football's biggest tournament.

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

But his record of 17 appearances - which were earned across the 1982, 1986 and 1990 tournaments - has now been beaten by no fewer than four players.

Fellow goalkeeper Jordan Pickford now has 19 World Cup caps to his name and current captain Harry Kane followed him into second place with 18 World Cup appearances before John Stones and Marcus Rashford moved level with Shilton with their appearances in the 2026 edition.

For Pickford, it's the latest honour accomplished having played 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, the knockout games against DR Congo, Mexico, Norway and Argentina to take him past Shilton and into the record books.

Pickford also made his 31st consecutive major tournament appearance for the Three Lions in the Argentina clash before he was replaced by Dean Henderson for the final game of the tournament in the bronze medal match with France.

Jordan 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.

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

In the starting XI against Argentina, the Bayern Munich striker is now on 121 appearances, passing Wayne Rooney's total of 120 caps. 

Kane has also made more World Cup history with his goalscoring exploits for England.

After netting twice in the first half against Croatia, then against Panama in the final group game and twice against DR Congo in the Round of 32 and against Mexico in the Round of 16, he's now on 14 World Cup goals having overtaken the ten goals Gary Lineker scored across the FIFA World Cups in 1986 and 1990