Walker stands firm on England retirement despite Rooney's World Cup recall plea

Kyle Walker has ruled out reversing his England retirement, even as Thomas Tuchel’s squad navigates a deepening right-back crisis at World Cup 2026.

Wayne Rooney, speaking as a BBC Sport pundit after England’s win over DR Congo, argued that Tuchel should have contacted Walker the moment Tino Livramento withdrew from the squad through injury. “Kyle is still more than good enough and more than capable of playing in this England team,” Rooney said. “I would have been on the phone to him saying, ‘Listen, we need you here. Can you come out and help us?’ That could really cost us. I’m worried on that.”

Walker, who retired from international football in March with 96 caps, told The Sun that Rooney’s comments were “flattering” but that his decision stands. “I would always have tried to be there for my country. But my time is up, I retired for a reason. I thought that it was time for the pathway for the next generation to come through and step aside for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James.”

The scale of England’s problem at right-back has become increasingly apparent during the tournament. Reece James was already absent through injury before the squad was named, and Livramento then dropped out before a ball was kicked. Trevoh Chalobah was brought in as a replacement ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold, while Djed Spence struggled in the win over DR Congo, prompting Declan Rice to fill in at right-back. Ezri Konsa also appeared in stoppage time, meaning England have now used five different players in the position across the tournament.

Walker acknowledged the cruel timing but stopped short of second-guessing himself. “It’s just sod’s law that a lot of right-backs have now been injured,” he said. “I don’t regret anything in life. I made the decision and I stand by it. Could I foresee Reece James and Tino both getting injured? Maybe with their problems I could have given myself a little bit of a chance — but I also think that you’ve got a very good right-back in Trent who’s also been overlooked.”