Kyle Walker has capitalized on his England career to bring the curtain down on 14 years in international football after earning 96 caps for the Three Lions. The 35-year-old right-back announced his retirement on Tuesday, March 10, just three months before the World Cup.
Walker finished four appearances shy of the 100-cap milestone, ending a journey that began with his England debut in 2011 and spanned five major tournaments.
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The right-back’s last appearance for England came in a friendly against Senegal in June. He did not feature in the final World Cup qualifying squads despite making 27 Premier League appearances for Burnley this season.
“After over ten years representing my country I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the greatest honor of my career and something I will always be proud of,” Walker wrote in an Instagram post.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, 12th man and everyone behind the scenes who have been a part of the journey. Every roar from the fans has pushed the team forward and I look forward to joining them and supporting the boys at the World Cup.”
“The memories in the England shirt will stay with me forever.
Walker was a key figure in England’s defense during a period where the team reached the latter stages of several major tournaments. The former Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur defender has experienced heartbreak at the European Championship twice, finishing as runner-up in 2021 and 2024.
However, his place in the national team has come under increasing pressure, with Reece James emerging as England’s preferred option at right-back.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel paid tribute to Walker following his decision, describing the veteran defender as one of the country’s great servants.
“Although I only worked with him for a short time, I was always aware that he was one of England’s greats who fully embraced the supreme honor of representing his country,” Tuchel said.
“An international career spanning 14 years and five major tournaments is testament to Kyle’s dedication. He can look back on his time with the Three Lions with great pride.”
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
10 March 2026 22:53 IST
