England defender Kyle Walker has announced his retirement from international football, bringing an end to a 14-year career with the national team just four appearances short of reaching 100 caps.
The 35-year-old right back represented England for more than a decade and played a key role in the team’s run to the European Championship finals in both 2021 and 2024.
Walker confirmed the decision ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in about three months. His international career began in 2011, and he went on to represent England in five major international tournaments.
His last appearance for England came in a friendly match against Senegal in June. Despite playing 27 Premier League matches for Burnley this season, Walker was not included in recent squads for the World Cup qualifiers.
Announcing his retirement on Instagram, Walker said that representing England had always been the greatest honor of his career and something he would always be proud of.
He thanked his teammates, coaches, managers, fans, and all those who supported the team behind the scenes during his international journey.
Walker said the support of the fans and the energy from the crowd always pushed the team forward. He added that he now looks forward to supporting the team as a fan during the upcoming World Cup.
Throughout his international career, Walker played for top clubs including Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur. England finished as runners-up in the European Championship in 2021 and again in 2024 during his time with the team. Reece James has since taken his place in the England squad.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel also paid tribute to Walker, describing him as one of the country’s great players. He said that although he worked with Walker for a short time, the defender’s 14-year international career and appearances in five major tournaments reflect his dedication and commitment to representing his country.
