Harry Kane set to become England’s most-capped men’s player

Harry Kane is set to become England’s most-capped men’s footballer when he makes his 126th appearance against Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, surpassing Peter Shilton’s record of 125, BBC Sport reports.

The 33-year-old striker, who has scored 91 goals in 125 games for England, made his debut in 2015. He said the landmark was “not about me – it’s about the team” and that he loved representing his country.

Kane’s first England goal came 79 seconds after he entered his debut against Lithuania. Then-manager Roy Hodgson called the moment a “fairytale” and hoped it marked the start of a long international career.

He has since captained England more than any other player, starting as captain 97 times. Gareth Southgate first gave him the armband in 2017, although Kane was not then Tottenham captain. Kane has played under five England managers, including current boss Thomas Tuchel, who called Thursday’s match a “deserved occasion to celebrate an extraordinary player”.

Kane is also England’s record goalscorer and won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, according to BBC Sport. The report says he has appeared 36 times at major tournaments, more than any other England player.

His record appearance comes after a career that has taken him from childhood football in Chingford to Bayern Munich. Kane became Tottenham’s leading scorer, with 280 goals in 435 appearances, before joining the German club in 2023. He has yet to win a major international trophy with England.

Kane has said he feels physically strong and intends to keep playing, while former team-mate Joe Hart praised his reading of the game. England’s record across Kane’s 125 appearances stands at 83 wins, 22 draws and 20 defeats.