Sports Desk. – Just four days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, English striker Harry Kane is shaping up to be one of the tournament’s biggest stars and threatens to break one of the most historic records in World Cup history: the most goals scored from the penalty spot.
Kane is part of the exclusive group of footballers who have scored four penalties in World Cups, a list that also includes legends such as Eusébio, Rob Rensenbrink, Gabriel Batistuta, and Lionel Messi.
The England striker reached that figure after converting four of his five penalties in the Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 editions, establishing himself as one of the most reliable takers in international football.
The record was inaugurated by the Portuguese Eusébio in England 1966, a tournament in which he maintained perfect effectiveness from the penalty spot and finished as the championship’s top scorer. Years later, the Dutchman Rob Rensenbrink equaled the feat in Argentina 1978, also with an impeccable full house of goals.
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Gabriel Batistuta managed to enter the group thanks to his performances in the United States 1994 and France 1998, while Lionel Messi reached the record during his multiple World Cup appearances with Argentina, although with lower effectiveness after missing two shots.
The proximity of the 2026 World Cup opens up the possibility for Kane to become the top penalty scorer in the history of the competition. The Bayern Munich striker will arrive at the tournament in his footballing prime and as one of England’s main attacking references.
In addition to Kane, other figures such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could also extend their records from the penalty spot during the World Cup that will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The new expanded format of 48 teams and more knockout stage matches could also favor the emergence of new stars who break historical records on one of the most demanding stages in world football.
