Overview

• The 32-year-old announced her decision on her podcast The Rest Is Football: Daly Brightness, which she co-hosts with Rachel Daly.
• Bright said stepping away lets her be “all in” for Chelsea after a summer spent recovering from knee surgery and beginning counselling.
• England head coach Sarina Wiegman hailed her as an “England legend,” and the FA plans to honour her at a future Lionesses fixture.
• She was ever-present in the Euro 2022 win and captained the 2023 World Cup finalists, cementing her status as a defensive leader.
• The retirement lands on the eve of the first post-Euro 2025 squad reveal, shaping selection for October friendlies against Brazil and Australia.