Peter Shilton has owned this record since 1989. On Thursday night he will hand it over in person. Harry Kane is expected to win his 126th England cap against Croatia at Wembley, moving clear of Shilton's 125 to become the first England men's player to reach that number, and the Football Association has confirmed the old goalkeeper will lead a pre-match presentation to mark it.
Kane will also show off something else. The Ballon d'Or, which he won this year, is still in Munich, but he told reporters he hopes it will be at Wembley tomorrow. The FA says that award will be acknowledged on the night too.
Tuchel: "The prize is in good hands"
Thomas Tuchel opened his news conference by confirming Kane starts and gets his trophy moment in front of the crowd. He called it a "beautiful, beautiful occasion", and then, being Tuchel, immediately warned that it is a Nations League match that matters, not a friendly. There will be a lot of praise and emotion before kick-off, he said, and Kane has to digest it quickly because England need him sharp.
Asked whether Kane is England's greatest player, Tuchel would not go quite that far. "I don't know but he is up there of course," he said. On the Ballon d'Or night itself, he liked what he saw: a captain who spoke well, dressed well and stayed humble, which is why he reckons the prize is in good hands. He also revealed the pair had talked at Kane's home in Munich before he took the job, and that having Kane as captain felt like a bonus on top of the squad he was inheriting.
Kane, who got an ovation walking into the media room and blushed with a "you're too kind", described the caps record as the biggest achievement of his career. Whether he is still around for the next World Cup? Tuchel says that is "on him".
Spence and Konsa miss out, youngsters push
There is team news underneath the ceremony. Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence both miss the Croatia game, though Tuchel's understanding is they will be back in full training by Saturday and ready for Spain on Sunday. He also has no plan to rest his strongest side across the two games, pointing out the players are used to playing twice a week and can be managed after 60 or 70 minutes if needed.
The newcomers got a mention. Bournemouth's James Hill, called up as Konsa cover, is "on a fantastic run" according to the manager, and Fulham's 19-year-old forward Josh King joins the camp for the first time. Jobe Bellingham, captain of the under-21s, is there as well. Tuchel described the young group as courageous and brave, and said he wants them knocking on the door.
A 7-0 he does not quite trust
England won 7-0 when they went to Croatia earlier in this group, and Tuchel called that a "freak result" that did not reflect the game. He wants the right attitude from the first whistle. England are second in their Nations League group behind Spain, so Thursday is not a lap of honour, whatever the pre-match script says. My guess? Kane marks the night with a goal, and England win, but by nothing like seven.
Match facts: England v Croatia, Uefa Nations League, Wembley, Thursday 12 November, 19:45 GMT. Then Spain v England, Sunday 15 November, 19:45 GMT. Kane debuted in 2015, became captain in 2018 and broke Wayne Rooney's England scoring record in 2023. Out v Croatia: Ezri Konsa, Djed Spence. Source: BBC Sport / The FA.
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