England's Walker retires from international football

Experienced England defender Kyle Walker has retired from international football with immediate effect.

The 35-year-old Burnley full-back has decided to call time on his career after winning 96 caps for the Three Lions and featuring at five major tournaments.

Walker, who won the last of those caps in a friendly against Senegal at the City Ground in June 2025, said it had been a "whirlwind of a journey" but the "book is now closed".

"I am sad to be making this decision, but I'm also very proud of what I've achieved with England," he said.

"Today is the time that comes to an end. It's good for me to have a little bit of closure to my career on the international stage."

Walker made his debut for England against Spain in November 2011 and went on to establish himself as a regular for the Three Lions.

The former Sheffield United, Tottenham and Manchester City defender played at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the European Championships in 2016, 2021 and 2024.

He was a key player in Sir Gareth Southgate's England side, helping them to successive European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024.

Walker was selected in both of Uefa's teams of the tournament at the Euros and was the Three Lions' vice-captain for the latter.

None of this, though, was enough to keep him in the favour of current England manager Thomas Tuchel, who left him out of his most recent squad.

Walker said to win so many caps is a "great honour" that he is "extremely proud of" and hopes to have played his part in leaving behind a positive legacy in how the national side are perceived.

"We've tried to change the way that people look at English football," added Walker, who scored his solitary international goal against Ukraine in September 2023.

"We've tried to change the way that the media looks at football and we've tried to take a little bit of the pressure off that you feel playing for England.

"Of course, I think there should be some pressure playing for your country, but we should all carry that because we're the chosen ones who are lucky enough to pull on that shirt and represent our country."

Walker was not going to make Tuchel's squad for this summer's World Cup, accepting the reality that he is unlikely to receive another England call.

The time had come to move away.

Chelsea's Reece James is primed to take the role Walker has filled with such distinction at five major tournaments at World Cups in 2018 and 2022, and Euros in 2016, 2021 and 2024.

His retirement from international football concludes a stellar and enduring career, with his achievements and longevity placing him among England's finest right-backs.

He bows out four short of the century of caps he had hoped to achieve, but his track record and the manner in which a succession of managers made him a central part of their plans is testimony to the quality and personality he brought over a 14-year career at the highest level.

Walker made his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 win against Spain at Wembley in 2011 – replacing his current Burnley manager Scott Parker – with his last cap coming in the 3-1 defeat to Senegal last year.

In between, he was a crucial component as England reached the World Cup semi-final in 2018, losing to Croatia, along with successive Euros finals in which Southgate's side lost to Italy at Wembley in 2021 then Spain in Berlin in 2024.

He was also used in a back three when Southgate choose to utilise this system, the manager trusting his versatility as well as admiring his leadership qualities, not just on the field, but within his squad.

Walker suffered those disappointments with England but leaves the stage with a track record to be proud of.

He achieved all this alongside his huge successes at Manchester City, where he won six Premier Leagues, the Champions League, the FA Cup twice and four League Cups.

He was gifted with searing pace, making him an integral player for managers Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson, Southgate, the interim Lee Carsley and Tuchel. He also figured in Sam Allardyce's only game in charge, the 1-0 win against Slovakia in September 2016.

Such was his temperament and speed that Southgate was very happy to deploy him in opposition to Kylian Mbappe when England played France in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Walker more than doing himself justice in the battle against the great forward, despite a 2-1 defeat.

He has made an indelible mark with England and his presence alone will be difficult to replace.