The full-back has decided to call time on his Three Lions career after winning 96 caps and is looking forward to watching from the stands at this summer's tournament in North America.

Walker told The Times newspaper: "I’m still going to the World Cup as a supporter.

"I’m an Englishman. I’ve followed the team since Michael Owen was doing his mazy thing against Argentina [in 1998]. My book is closed as an England player so now I can reopen the book of being a fan."

The Burnley defender hasn't played for his country since the friendly defeat to Senegal last June and has decided to end his international career as he knew selection for a sixth major tournament was unlikely.

He said: "I’m not stupid. I’m 35 and the dream is not going to go on forever.

"So instead of someone bursting my bubble, I’ll burst my own bubble."

Walker opted to make the decision now for clarity ahead of Thomas Tuchel's next squad announcement.

He explained: "You get a text that you’re going to be included in the short list or long list. You’re waiting on your phone until two hours before the announcement and I can just give myself a bit of closure in that I’m not waiting for that text any more."

Walker believes that England have enough options in the right-back position for their World Cup campaign.

He said: "I need to close the book. I’m not leaving [England] with one right back and saying, ‘I’m out of here’. It’s not a position that’s short. I’m not Harry Kane suddenly saying ‘I’m off’. I feel the cover they’ve got in my position is more than adequate to go on and win a tournament."

Walker - who made his Three Lions debut back in 2011 - ends his career just four caps short of a century and admits that it is slightly frustrating not to reach the milestone.

The six-time Premier League winner said: "In life you set yourself goals and being the second black player in England’s history, after Ashley Cole, to get 100 caps, I thought would be a great target to achieve. But it’s not to be."