Kyle Walker has announced his retirement from international football, ending a 14-year spell with the England national football team just months before the 2026 World Cup.
The 35-year-old defender made 96 appearances for England after earning his first cap against the Spain national football team in 2011 at the age of 21. Over the course of his international career, Walker represented his country in five major tournaments.
These included UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024. Walker was also part of the England squads that reached back-to-back European Championship finals, finishing runners-up to the Italy national football team in 2021 and the Spain national football team in 2024.
He played a key role in England’s run to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup under former manager Gareth Southgate, a tournament widely seen as a turning point for the national team’s resurgence on the international stage.
Walker scored his only goal for England in a match against the Ukraine national football team in 2023 and captained the side on three occasions. His last appearance for the Three Lions came in June 2025 during a friendly match that ended in a 3–1 defeat to the Senegal national football team.
Announcing his decision, Walker described representing England as the greatest honour of his career. He said that wearing the national team shirt had always meant a great deal to both him and his family, adding that the time had come to step aside and allow younger players to emerge.
His wife, Annie Kilner, also praised his commitment, saying the family had shared many memorable moments watching him play for his country. Current England manager Thomas Tuchel paid tribute to Walker, noting that the defender had served under four different national team managers — Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate and Tuchel himself — during his time with the squad.
Tuchel described Walker’s career with England as “incredible,” highlighting his longevity and consistent presence at major tournaments as evidence of his dedication to the national team.
