​When Bobby Moore climbed the steps at Wembley to lift the Jules Rimet trophy on 30 July 1966, few could have imagined England would still be waiting for another World Cup triumph 60 years later.That wait was extended once again on Wednesday as Thomas Tuchel’s men squandered a late lead to a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina, losing 2-1 in Atlanta to miss out on a place in the 2026 final.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIn the six decades since England’s only World Cup win, football has changed, Britain has changed and the world has changed.Here are the numbers that tell the story.Since England beat West Germany 4-2 after extra time in the 1966 final, 454 players have made their England debut.The first was John Hollins, who became England’s 847th men’s international in a 2-0 friendly win over Spain at Wembley in May 1967. The most recent is Liverpool teenager Rio Ngumoha, the 1,300th player to represent England, making his debut in June’s 1-0 friendly victory over New Zealand in Tampa.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAt World Cups, 161 different players have represented England since 1970, from members of Alf Ramsey’s victorious squad to the latest generation to fall agonisingly short.No fewer than 15 permanent England managers have attempted to emulate Ramsey’s achievement.Ron Greenwood, Bobby Robson, Glenn Hoddle, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Fabio Capello, Gareth Southgate and Tuchel have led England into a World Cup, each hoping to end the wait.Only seven men have captained England at a World Cup since 1966 – Moore, who returned in 1970, Mick Mills, Bryan Robson, Alan Shearer, David Beckham, Steven Gerrard and Harry Kane.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEngland have appeared at 12 of the 15 World Cups since 1966 and have repeatedly come close without returning to the final.Their exits have become part of football folklore.There was surrendering a 2-0 lead against West Germany in 1970, Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” in 1986, Paul Gascoigne’s tears in the 1990 semi-final, Beckham’s red card against Argentina in 1998, Ronaldinho’s famous free-kick in 2002, Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal in 2010, Kane’s missed penalty against France in 2022 and Argentina’s dramatic comeback in Atalanta.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHaving won their first World Cup semi-final in 1966, England have lost the three since – in 1990, 2018 and 2026.There have been only two occasions this century when a team have scored first in a World Cup semi-final but lost. Both times it was England – against Croatia in 2018 and Argentina in 2026.Diego Maradona scores his infamous ‘Hand of God’ goal in 1986 [Getty Images]Some opponents have become recurring villains.Germany (including West Germany) and Argentina have each eliminated England from the World Cup three times since 1966.England’s penalty shootout record also became an unwanted storyline.Chris Waddle and Stuart Pearce missed from 12 yards as West Germany ended England’s hopes in t