Kane writes another chapter
Harry Kane has added another record to his England career.
The England captain became the country’s all-time leading scorer at the men’s World Cup after finding the net in the 2-0 win over Panama at New York New Jersey Stadium.
According to England Football, Kane’s second-half header moved him to 11 World Cup goals, taking him past Gary Lineker, who had held the national record with 10.
The goal came in the 67th minute, five minutes after Jude Bellingham had opened the scoring. Bellingham then turned provider, delivering the cross for Kane to head in England’s second.
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It was a familiar finish from a striker who has built much of his career on timing, movement and composure in decisive areas.
Lineker’s record finally falls
Lineker’s mark had stood since 1990, when he added four goals at the World Cup in Italy to the six he had scored in Mexico four years earlier.
For more than three decades, no England player had managed to move beyond him at the tournament. Kane first moved level with Lineker earlier in this World Cup, before finally taking the record outright against Panama.
According to FIFA’s match report, England’s win also secured top spot in Group L, sending Thomas Tuchel’s side into the knockout stage with momentum.
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For Kane, the record is another major addition to a career already defined by milestones. He is England’s all-time leading scorer overall, and now he stands alone at the top of the country’s World Cup list as well.
Romano highlights the milestone
The achievement was quickly noted across the football world.
According to Fabrizio Romano on X, Kane had officially become England’s leading World Cup scorer.
“OFFICIAL: Harry Kane becomes England ALL TIME TOP SCORER at the World Cup with 11 goals. 💥” Romano wrote.
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It was a simple message, but the significance was clear. Kane has now moved beyond one of England’s most respected goalscorers and set a new benchmark for future generations.
England’s captain keeps delivering
Kane has often carried heavy expectations for England, but his World Cup record reflects a rare level of consistency.
He won the Golden Boot in 2018, scored again in Qatar in 2022 and has now delivered another historic moment in 2026. Even as England’s attacking shape continues to evolve under Tuchel, Kane remains the reference point.
His latest goal did more than settle the match against Panama. It placed him ahead of Lineker and confirmed his status as one of the defining England players of the modern era.
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For a striker judged by goals, Kane now has the clearest World Cup record of any Englishman.
