Kyle Walker

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Kyle Walker's prospects for the FIFA World Cup 2026 appear to be diminishing, largely due to his age, recent club movements, and the emergence of younger talent in England's right-back position.

Recent Club Career and Form:

As of July 2025, Kyle Walker, at 35 years old (born May 28, 1990), made a permanent move to Burnley after a loan spell at AC Milan for the latter half of the 2024-25 season. His time at AC Milan, while initially seen as a potential upgrade for the Italian club's right-back position, was described as "brief as it was underwhelming". Reports from late 2024 and early 2025 indicated that Walker had expressed a desire to leave Manchester City. Despite a strong defensive showing at Milan, with high interceptions and defensive duel win rates, his attacking contributions were noted as less frequent than his counterpart, Davide Calabria. His form at Burnley in the 2025-26 Premier League season has seen him feature regularly, with 16 appearances and one assist as of December 27, 2025, though Burnley's results have been mixed. Concerns about his pace declining, a once-defining attribute, have also been raised, with some suggesting his "legs are gone".

England National Team Outlook:

England, now under the management of Thomas Tuchel, has a wealth of options at right-back, creating significant competition for Walker. Players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold (now at Real Madrid), Reece James, Valentino Livramento, Rico Lewis, Kieran Trippier, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are all vying for a spot. Some analyses suggest that Walker, who was a mainstay under former manager Gareth Southgate due to his defensive solidity, might be less suited to Tuchel's potentially more attack-minded approach. There have been discussions as early as late 2022 and late 2023 where Southgate reportedly talked Walker out of international retirement twice. However, by October 2025, his omission from the England squad was noted, with Southgate (prior to Tuchel's reported appointment) indicating that while Walker was playing well, he was a more defensive full-back compared to others preferred for their attacking contributions.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Prospects:

Considering he will be 36 years old by the time of the 2026 World Cup, many believe Walker's chances of making the squad, particularly as a starter, are slim. While his vast experience and leadership qualities could still be valued, the perceived decline in his exceptional pace and the strong emergence of younger, dynamic right-backs make his inclusion challenging. Some speculate that he might be considered for his experience in the dressing room, similar to a player like Jordan Henderson, but his starting position is highly unlikely.

Latest News:

The most significant recent news regarding Kyle Walker is his permanent transfer to Burnley in July 2025 after a loan spell at AC Milan. He has been a regular for Burnley in the current Premier League season (2025-2026). While he captained England for the first time in November 2023 and was named vice-captain for UEFA Euro 2024, the landscape of the England squad has shifted with a new manager and a focus on youth in his position. His future with the national team under Thomas Tuchel remains a subject of ongoing debate and speculation.