Goalkeeper Mary Earps has announced her retirement from international football and will not be part of Sarina Wiegman’s England squad at the 2025 European Championship.
Earps was capped 53 times by the national team and was an integral part of England’s Euro 2022 triumph and run to the 2023 World Cup final.
The 32-year-old won the Golden Glove award at the 2023 World Cup, saving a penalty in the final as the Lionesses were beaten by Spain, but has called time on her international career just over a month before the beginning of Euro 2025.
“I have taken the difficult decision to retire internationally,” Earps wrote on Instagram. “It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life, to wear this badge and represent my country. I’m a proper sop when it comes to playing for England, anyone who knows me knows that playing at the top of the game is what drives me, and it doesn’t get bigger than the international stage. I wish I could do it forever – but sadly, all good things must come to an end.
“My journey has never been the simplest, and so in true Mary fashion, this isn’t a simple goodbye — right before a major tournament. Nonetheless, I know this is the right decision. There are so many dimensions to this decision, the details of which aren’t important right now, but what it boils down to is: it’s now the right time for me to step aside.
“I can hand on heart say I soaked up every minute I pulled on the England jersey. I have given everything, my heart and soul: I left it all out there on the pitch, and did my best to help create systemic change off it. I have no regrets. One of my biggest motivations has been to leave the jersey in a better place than where I found it: I hope you all feel I have done that.”
She thanked the England staff and players in her statement as well as the fans, saying that she was “eternally grateful.”
Wiegman has rotated her goalkeepers in recent months, with Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton often selected as the starter. The England manager said that Earps had explained her reasoning behind her decision.
“I had hoped that Mary would play an important role within the squad this summer, so of course I am disappointed,” she said. “Mary has been clear on her reasons why she has made the decision and it is something we need to accept.
“Mary has made a huge contribution to not only the team, but the whole of English football. We will cherish those memories and of course give Mary the tributes she deserves after the summer but for now the focus needs to be on the upcoming UEFA Women’s Nations League fixtures and the Euros.”
In a press release, England also confirmed that Hampton, Manchester City’s Khiara Keating and the Orlando Pride’s Anna Moorhouse will be part of the 26-player squad for Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain on May 30 and June 3 respectively.
Earps made her senior international debut in 2017 and became England’s first-choice goalkeeper after Wiegman’s arrival in 2021 following nearly two years out of the national team picture.
She plays her club football for Paris Saint-Germain, who she joined in July after five years at Manchester United. Earps came fifth in Ballon d’Or voting in 2023 and won the 2023-24 FA Cup with United.
‘A massive surprise’
Analysis by Charlotte Harpur
This comes as a huge shock.
Going into Euro 2025, there was always debate around who would be England’s No 1: Hampton or Earps.
Earps has now made that decision very clear for Wiegman by not only pulling out from this summer’s major tournament but ending her international career altogether.
The fact that Wiegman has said she had hoped Earps would play an important role within the squad this summer and is “disappointed” suggests that Earps was not wiling to fulfil the role Wiegman had set out for her. The England squad met up on Monday ahead of their Nations League fixtures against Portugal and Spain and although Earps says she has taken a long time to make this difficult decision, this comes as a massive surprise.
Earps has played such a significant role in the Lionesses’ success so far. She was instrumental when they won the 2022 Euros and reached the 2023 World Cup final for which she was named the Best FIFA Women’s goalkeeper in consecutive years. She also won the 2023 World Cup Golden Glove and on the way took on Nike when they did not sell her goalkeeper shirt at the 2023 World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper transcended football. She won the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award and became a standout name recognised by many in society.
(Harry Murphy/Getty Images)
