Harry Kane won his 100th England cap in the win over Finland at Wembley, but how far off the all-time men’s appearance record is he?
Harry Kane joined an exclusive group of England men’s players on Tuesday night. The Three Lions’ captain and all-time top scorer won his 100th cap in the 2-0 win over Finland at Wembley Stadium, becoming just the 10th male player do so.
Aged 31 years and 44 days old at the time of reaching a century of senior international appearances, Kane also has time on his side as he looks to break the all-time record for the England men’s side.
That record is currently held by former goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who won 125 caps. The outfielder with the most caps is Wayne Rooney (120), with the former all-time England top scorer also the last to reach a century for the men’s side back in November 2014.
Rooney is the youngest (29 years, 22 days old) to reach 100 England caps for the men’s side, hitting the landmark 10 years ago. His final cap came exactly four years later, winning just 20 more across that time – a total Kane will surely eclipse if he stays fit.
The first England player to reach 100 caps was Billy Wright in April 1959, followed by Bobby Charlton in April 1970 and Bobby Moore in February 1973. After Shilton’s accomplishment in June 1988, the next five players all won their 100th cap between 2008 and 2014 – David Beckham (March 2008), Steven Gerrard (November 2012), Ashley Cole (February 2013), Frank Lampard (September 2013) and Rooney (November 2014).
The increase in international fixtures in the modern era has helped to make it a more common occurrence for players to reach a century of caps. In the 1950s, England averaged eight games a year; that average went up to 10 a year in the 60s and 70s.
The post-Covid era has seen that tally of games increase, especially in tournament years. England played 19 games in 2021 – two more than in any other year in history – while it was 13 in 2022, 10 in 2023 and 13 already in 2024 with four more scheduled to be played.
Most of Kane’s caps for England came under Gareth Southgate. His 81 appearances for him is the fourth most by one player under a specific England manager behind only Wright under Walter Winterbottom (105), Bobby Moore for Alf Ramsey (100) and Shilton under Bobby Robson (83).
Kane is also the England player to make the most appearances at major international men’s tournaments (29), as well as their top scorer in these matches (15).
Finland were the 45th different country Kane has played against in an England shirt, and he’s scored versus all but 10 of those. His two goals on Tuesday night meant he’s scored 26 times at the national stadium for the Three Lions, another record he holds for the men’s senior team.
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