When Bobby Moore climbed the steps of the iconic Wembley stadium in London on 30 July 1966 to lift the Jules Rimet Trophy, no one could have imagined that England would still be waiting for another World Cup title 60 years later.
That wait was extended once more on Wednesday, as the men managed by German coach Thomas Tuchel squandered a late lead against Lionel Messi's Argentina, losing 1–2 in Atlanta to miss out on a place in the 2026 World Cup final, currently being held across the United States, Mexico and Canada.
In the six decades since England's only World Cup triumph, football has changed, Britain has changed, and the world has changed beyond recognition.
The official website of the BBC has highlighted some of the numbers that tell that story, which we examine in the following lines.
454 players making their international debut
Since England's 4–2 victory over West Germany after extra time in the 1966 World Cup final, 454 players have made their international debut for the England national team.
The first of those players was John Hollins, who became the 847th player to represent England internationally, in a friendly in which the Three Lions beat Spain 2–0 at Wembley in May 1967.
The most recent is Rio Ngumoha, the young Liverpool player, who is the 1,300th player to represent England in general, having made his international debut in June in a friendly the team won 1–0 against New Zealand in Tampa.
During the World Cup, 161 different players have represented England since the 1970 edition in Mexico, ranging from members of the late manager Alf Ramsey's winning squad to the latest generation that has been unable to replicate that achievement.
15 permanent managers have tried to repeat Ramsey's feat
Ron Greenwood, Bobby Robson, Glenn Hoddle, Sven-Göran Eriksson, Fabio Capello, Gareth Southgate and Tuchel have all led England to the World Cup, each hoping to end the wait.
Only 7 players have captained England at the World Cup since 1966: Moore, who returned in 1970, Mick Mills, Bryan Robson, Alan Shearer, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Harry Kane.
Missed chances and heartbreaks
England have participated in 12 of the 15 World Cup editions since 1966, coming close to winning the title on several occasions without reaching the final.
England's World Cup exits have become part of football history, with a number of landmark moments that remain etched in the minds of football lovers around the world.
England suffered a historic defeat after leading West Germany by 2 goals at the 1970 World Cup, before being undone by the late Diego Maradona's infamous