Harry Kane breaks Lineker's England World Cup record with 11th goal
Synopsis
For 36 years, Gary Lineker's 10 World Cup goals stood as the benchmark for every England striker. Harry Kane erased it with a header against Panama in New Jersey — his 11th World Cup goal in 14 games — and he still has the knockout rounds to go.
Key Takeaways
Harry Kane scored his 11th FIFA World Cup goal against Panama on 28 June 2026 at New Jersey Stadium , breaking Gary Lineker 's record of 10 goals .
Kane first levelled Lineker's tally with a brace against Croatia in England's World Cup opener in Dallas .
The record had stood for 36 years , with Lineker setting it across Mexico 1986 and Italy 1990 .
Kane's overall England tally now stands at 82 goals from 117 appearances , the highest by any England men's player.
Kane won the Golden Boot at Russia 2018 with six goals and has scored at three consecutive World Cups.
Harry Kane surpassed Gary Lineker's long-standing record as England's all-time top scorer at the FIFA World Cup on Sunday, 28 June 2026, netting his 11th World Cup goal in England's final group-stage match against Panama at New Jersey Stadium. The header sealed not just the victory but a place in history for the Bayern Munich striker.
How the Record Fell
Kane had entered the FIFA World Cup 2026 trailing Lineker by two goals. He first drew level with a brace against Croatia in England's opener in Dallas, matching Lineker's tally of 10 goals — a haul the former captain had accumulated across a six-goal Golden Boot-winning campaign at Mexico 1986 and four goals at Italy 1990. Then, against Panama in New Jersey, Kane thumped home a header to take his tally to 11 goals in 14 World Cup appearances, moving clear of Lineker's 10 goals in 12 games.
A Career Built for Records
Russia 2018 was Kane's first FIFA World Cup, and he announced himself emphatically — winning the Golden Boot with six goals even as England exited in the semi-finals. He added two more at Qatar 2022, scoring against Senegal and France. His 117th England appearance against Panama also pushed his overall international tally to 82 goals, extending his own record as England's all-time leading scorer across all competitions.
Where Kane Stands in the All-Time List
The record-breaking goal cements Kane's place at the summit of England's World Cup scoring charts. Below him, Sir Geoff Hurst sits third with 5 goals in 6 games, followed by Bobby Charlton, Michael Owen, and Marcus Rashford — each on 4 goals. Kane is also joint fourth on England's all-time appearances list, having represented the national side in the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, the EURO 2020 final, and the EURO 2024 final.
What This Milestone Means
Lineker's record had stood for 36 years, surviving generations of England strikers. That Kane broke it not with a penalty or a scrappy finish but with a decisive header in a group-stage win underlines his consistency at the highest level. This is the third FIFA World Cup in which Kane has scored, and he shows no sign of slowing as England advance deeper into the tournament. All eyes will now be on whether he can add to his tally in the knockout rounds.
Point of View
But because England rarely produced a centre-forward who combined longevity, penalty-box intelligence, and tournament availability. Kane has all three. What is easy to miss in the record-breaking headline is the context: he has now scored at three World Cups across three different tactical England setups — a consistency that arguably makes his achievement more durable than Lineker's own. The real question is whether England's squad depth and tactical evolution can finally convert individual brilliance into collective tournament success in 2026.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cup goals does Harry Kane have?
Harry Kane has scored 11 FIFA World Cup goals in 14 appearances , making him England's all-time top scorer at the tournament. He surpassed Gary Lineker's record of 10 goals with a header against Panama on 28 June 2026.
What was Gary Lineker's England World Cup record?
Gary Lineker scored 10 goals in 12 World Cup games for England — six at Mexico 1986, where he won the Golden Boot, and four at Italy 1990. That record stood for 36 years before Kane broke it.
When and where did Kane break the record?
Kane broke the record on 28 June 2026 at New Jersey Stadium , heading home against Panama in England's final group-stage match at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
How many goals has Harry Kane scored for England overall?
Kane's goal against Panama was his 82nd for England , scored on his 117th appearance . He is England's all-time leading scorer across all competitions and joint fourth on the all-time appearances list.
Who are the other top England World Cup scorers?
Behind Kane (11 goals) and Lineker (10), the list includes Sir Geoff Hurst (5 goals in 6 games), and Bobby Charlton , Michael Owen , and Marcus Rashford — each on 4 goals.
