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 for England at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and the European Championships in 2016, 2021 and 2024.
He 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.”
