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International Football Walker represented England at five major tournaments. Dan Mullan / Getty Images England defender Kyle Walker has announced his retirement from international football ahead of this summer’s World Cup. The 35-year-old right-back has called time on his England career after winning 96 caps — making him the closest England player to a century of appearances without reaching the milestone. Advertisement Walker represented his country at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, as well as in three consecutive European Championships, in 2016, 2021 and 2024. The Burnley defender was a key part of Gareth Southgate’s squad which came agonisingly close to ending England’s long wait for silverware, finishing runners-up at Euro 2021 and Euro 2024, and also helped them to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the nation’s best showing in the competition since 1990. Walker made his senior debut in November 2011 against Spain at Wembley during the reign of Fabio Capello, and also won caps under Roy Hodgson, Southgate, Lee Carsley, and current head coach Thomas Tuchel. His final game was the 3-1 friendly defeat to Senegal in June 2025. The former Manchester City, Milan, Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United defender said he was "sad to be making this decision, but . .. also very proud of what I've achieved with England", and believes Southgate's groundbreaking squad helped to shift perceptions of the national team. “We've tried to change the way that people look at English football, 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, " he told England's official website. In 2023, Southgate revealed he had twice talked Walker out of retirement — after the 2021 Euros and the winter World Cup in Qatar the following year. Tuchel, who did not name Walker in any of his three squads over Autumn 2025, described him as an "England great". The German coach 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. Advertisement “An international career spanning 14 years and five major tournament is testament to Kyle’s dedication. He can look back on his time with the Three Lions with great pride. ” Walker featured as both a right-back and centre-half for England, and retires having scored one international goal, the equaliser in a 1-1 European Championship qualifying draw with Ukraine in 2023. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Djed Spence, Rico Lewis, and Tino Livramento are among the players now battling to be Tuchel's right-back at the World Cup in the U. S. , Mexico and Canada. The FA said a tribute to Walker’s international career will be made at an England fixture after the summer. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle Dan Kilpatrick is a Deputy Managing Editor for The Athletic, joining the company in 2025. Previously he was the chief football correspondent for the Evening Standard and Tottenham correspondent for ESPN FC.