Kyle Walker Retires From International Football After England World Cup Snub
Kyle Walker has confirmed he is stepping away from international football after being left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England squad ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
The 35-year-old defender made 96 appearances for England since his debut in November 2011. During that time he represented the national team under four different managers — Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson, Gareth Southgate and Tuchel — and currently sits 10th on the country’s all-time men’s senior appearance list.
Walker’s last outing for England came in March 2025 during a 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Albania. He lost his starting spot to Reece James in the next game against Latvia and has not returned to the squad since.
“Playing for England has always been the greatest honour of my career. Every time I pulled on the shirt it meant a huge amount to me and my family.
“After a lot of thought, this feels like the right moment to step away and allow the next generation of players to come through.
“I leave incredibly proud of the journey and grateful to every manager, teammate and supporter who has been part of it.
“Representing your country is the biggest thing you can do in football and those memories with England will stay with me forever.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel also paid tribute to the veteran full-back.
“I know all England fans will join me in congratulating Kyle on an incredible international career.
“Although I only worked with him for a short period of time, I was always aware that he was one of England’s greats who fully embraced the highest honour of representing his country.
“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.”
Walker’s wife, Annie Kilner, also reflected on his journey with the national team. The couple recently revealed they are expecting their fourth child.
“Kyle has always taken so much pride in playing for England and it has meant the world to him.
“As a family we have shared so many special moments watching him represent his country, and our four boys have grown up seeing how much the England shirt means to their dad.
“International football asks a lot of players and their families, but we could not be prouder of everything he has achieved and the career he has had with England.”
Walker enjoyed some of his finest moments with England during the period the team reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and the final of Euro 2020, which came during a trophy-filled seven-and-a-half-year spell at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola.
