Harry Kane to become England's most-capped player ahead of Nations League match

Harry Kane is set to make his 126th appearance for England on Thursday, overtaking former goalkeeper Peter Shilton as the nation’s most-capped player. The milestone will be reached during the Nations League match against Croatia at Wembley, a game in which Kane is expected to start.

The achievement follows Kane’s recent Ballon d'Or win, which recognised him as the world’s best player for the previous season. A Sky Sports poll conducted after his 125th cap in October saw nearly 100,000 readers vote, with 49 % selecting Kane as England’s greatest player.

While Kane’s individual record is notable, he has yet to win a major international tournament. England have reached two European Championship finals and two World Cup semi-finals during his tenure but have not secured a title. The team hopes to advance to the March quarter-finals of the Nations League and to improve on recent performances against Croatia and Spain.

Kane’s goal tally has also surpassed previous England records, reaching 91 goals and continuing to increase. His consistency, leadership and ability to contribute both as a scorer and creator have been highlighted by analysts.

"Kane’s relentless desire to play and score is reflected in his statistics, having missed only one of England’s last 101 competitive matches," a Sky Sports analysis noted.

The upcoming match is expected to include a tribute to Kane’s career achievements, acknowledging his contributions to the national side.