England’s World Cup record at a glance
England have reached the knockout stages at most of the World Cups they’ve entered, but lifted the trophy only once.
England did not enter the first three World Cups (1930–1938) and made their debut at Brazil 1950. Here is every tournament since.
| Year & host | England’s result |
|---|---|
| 1950 Brazil | Group stage |
| 1954 Switzerland | Quarter-finals |
| 1958 Sweden | Group stage |
| 1962 Chile | Quarter-finals |
| 1966 England | Winners 🏆 |
| 1970 Mexico | Quarter-finals |
| 1974 West Germany | Did not qualify |
| 1978 Argentina | Did not qualify |
| 1982 Spain | Second group stage |
| 1986 Mexico | Quarter-finals |
| 1990 Italy | Fourth place |
| 1994 USA | Did not qualify |
| 1998 France | Round of 16 |
| 2002 Korea/Japan | Quarter-finals |
| 2006 Germany | Quarter-finals |
| 2010 South Africa | Round of 16 |
| 2014 Brazil | Group stage |
| 2018 Russia | Fourth place |
| 2022 Qatar | Quarter-finals |
| 2026 USA/Canada/Mexico | Quarter-finals (campaign ongoing) |
England have missed only three World Cups they tried to reach: 1974, 1978 and 1994.
They have been knocked out in the group stage three times — in 1950, 1958 and most recently at Brazil 2014.
1966 and England’s best-ever finishes
England’s defining moment is the 1966 final at Wembley, where they beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time. Geoff Hurst’s hat-trick in that match is still the only one ever scored in a men’s World Cup final.
Since 1966, the closest England have come is fourth place. They reached the semi-finals in Italy 1990 and Russia 2018, losing both times.
The three standout finishes:
- 1966 (winners): Beat West Germany 4-2 in the final on home soil — England’s only World Cup title.
- 1990 (fourth): Lost the semi-final to West Germany on penalties, then the third-place play-off to Italy.
- 2018 (fourth): Lost the semi-final to Croatia, then the third-place play-off to Belgium.
England’s all-time World Cup scorers and record-holders
Harry Kane is England’s outright top World Cup scorer with 14 goals, four clear of Gary Lineker’s 10. Kane drew level with Lineker by scoring twice against Croatia on 17 June 2026, passed him against Panama, and added another against Mexico.
Lineker won the Golden Boot at Mexico 1986 with six goals; Kane matched that feat at Russia 2018, also scoring six.
| Player | World Cup goals |
|---|---|
| Harry Kane | 14 |
| Gary Lineker | 10 |
| Geoff Hurst | 5 |
| Bobby Charlton | 4 |
| Michael Owen | 4 |
For most World Cup matches played, goalkeeper Peter Shilton leads the way with 17 appearances across three tournaments, per the FA’s all-time records.
Kane is climbing that list too, reaching 16 World Cup appearances after the Mexico match on 5 July 2026.
| Player | World Cup appearances |
|---|---|
| Peter Shilton | 17 |
| Harry Kane | 16 (and counting) |
| Bobby Charlton | 14 |
England at the 2026 World Cup so far
England won Group L and have since reached the quarter-finals at the 2026 World Cup. They opened with a 4-2 win over Croatia, drew 0-0 with Ghana, beat Panama 2-0, then moved past DR Congo and Mexico in the knockouts.
Follow England’s match schedule in our guide here.
England Match at the 2026 World Cup: Full Schedule, Fixtures and Kick-off Times
The Croatia win was the standout: Harry Kane scored twice, with Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also on the scoresheet.
The Ghana game was a tighter affair, with England held to a goalless draw but staying top of the group.
Panama sealed top spot, while the 3-2 win over Mexico sent England into a quarter-final against Norway.
Following England in 2026: travel and tickets
England’s group games were spread across three US cities, so fans travelling to follow the team needed to plan flights and stays in each. Their knockout run has since taken them to Atlanta and Mexico City, with Norway next.
If you’re flying in for England’s matches, the three group-stage host cities are:
- Dallas: Search flights to Dallas and hotels in Dallas.
- Boston: Search flights to Boston and hotels in Boston.
- New York: Search flights to New York and hotels in New York.
Most fans travelling from England will route through London Heathrow, with carriers such as British Airways flying direct to all three cities.
You can track schedules and any disruptions to these routes on the Wego flight tracker before you fly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times have England won the World Cup?
Once, in 1966, when they beat West Germany 4-2 in the final at Wembley. It remains England’s only World Cup title.
Who is England’s top World Cup goalscorer?
Harry Kane is England’s top World Cup goalscorer with 14 goals. Gary Lineker is second on 10.
How is England doing at the 2026 World Cup?
England have reached the quarter-finals after beating Mexico 3-2 in the Round of 16. They face Norway next.
When did England last reach the semi-finals?
At Russia 2018, where they finished fourth. They also reached the semi-finals at Italy 1990.
Sources
- FIFA — England team profile, history and World Cup record
- The FA (England Football) — Harry Kane equals Gary Lineker’s World Cup goals record
- The FA (England Football) — England 0-0 Ghana match centre, 23 June 2026
- The FA (England Football) — Men’s senior all-time record appearances
- FIFA — England 4-2 Croatia match report
- Sky Sports — England’s World Cup 2026 fixtures and schedule
- ESPN — England at the 2026 World Cup: schedule and results
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