World Cup 2026: Saka joins elite England club with hat-trick against France

Bukayo Saka has etched his name into English football history, joining an exclusive club of players who have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup match. The 24-year-old winger achieved this remarkable feat during the 2026 World Cup, netting three goals in England's thrilling 6-4 victory over France.

Saka's performance places him alongside some of the most celebrated figures in the history of the Three Lions. Prior to his achievement, only three other England players had managed to score three goals in a single World Cup game. Harry Kane was the most recent, scoring a hat-trick against Panama in 2018.

Before Kane, Gary Lineker achieved the same milestone against Poland in the 1986 World Cup. The most iconic of these hat-tricks belongs to the legendary Sir Geoff Hurst, who scored three goals in the 1966 World Cup final against West Germany, a feat that remains one of the most memorable moments in football history.

By scoring three goals against France, Saka not only secured a significant personal achievement but also contributed to one of England's highest-scoring World Cup matches. His name is now permanently linked with these footballing giants, marking a historic individual performance on the world's biggest stage.