Kyle Walker Bids Farewell to England Ahead of World Cup 2026 in Heartfelt Announcement

KYLE WALKER has announced his England retirement just months before the World Cup.

Walker, 35, made 96 caps for the Three Lions with his debut against Spain way back in 2011 aged just 21.

Kyle Walker has retired from international football with EnglandCredit: Getty He made the first of his 96 caps in 2011Credit: Getty

The defender featured in five major tournaments – Euro 2016, the 2018 World Cup, Euro 2020, the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2024.

That included featuring in back-to-back Euro finals as England lost to Italy and then Spain and starring in a back three during Gareth Southgate’s side’s run to the semi-finals in Russia eight years ago.

, whose only senior international goal came against Ukraine in 2023, captained his country three times.

But after not playing since a shock 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal last June, he has decided to step away from England duties.

Announcing his news, Walker said: “Playing for 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.”

added: “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 is not short of competition at right-back for England with Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold set to battle it out to start for Thomas Tuchel in North America this summer.

Versatile full-backs Tino Livramento and Djed Spece are also hoping to secure a seat on the plane.

But Walker decided to bow out to make one decision for Tuchel.

The German paid tribute to the right-back, who played under four different England bosses – Fabio Capello, Roy Hodgson, Southgate and Tuchel.

The current , said: “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.”

The veteran can now put his full focus on trying to keep .

Scott Parker’s Clarets sit 19th in the table, nine points from safety with nine games to go.

Walker has another season on his Turf Moor contract after joining from Manchester City last summer.

He won six Prem titles at the Etihad plus the Champions League, two FA Cups, four League Cups and the Fifa Club World Cup.

Walker – who had a loan spell at AC Milan last season – came through at Sheffield United and joined Tottenham in 2009, spending eight seasons on Spurs’ books before his £50million move to City.

In total, he has racked up more than 750 appearances for club and country.

Walker featured in two Euros finalsCredit: Getty The defender suffered 2018 World Cup semi-final heartacheCredit: Reuters His final cap was a 3-1 defeat to Senegal last JuneCredit: Getty Walker is hoping to help Burnley avoid relegationCredit: Getty