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 11 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 11 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).

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka are both closing in on their half-century of caps for the senior team at the World Cup.

Saka is set to win his 50th England cap should he feature against Croatia on Wednesday, becoming just the fourth England men's player to reach the landmark before turning 25.

The Arsenal forward 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 and EURO 2024.

At 24 years and 285 days old, Saka would join 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 as he closes in on a half-century of caps.

While Saka is on the verge of a half-century of appearances, Bellingham is not far behind.

The midfielder currently has 48 caps and is set to become England's youngest-ever player to reach 50 appearances if he features twice during the tournament. Rooney has held the record since April 2009, when he brought up his 50th cap aged 23 years and 159 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, Gerrard and Tom Finney have recorded more wins in their first 50 England appearances, with each registering 35.

The Three Lions begin their tournament against Croatia on Wednesday before taking on Ghana in their second Group L fixture six days later, with both Saka and Bellingham closing in on places in the England record books.