following a series of impressive performances for leeds united, mills received his first england callup in 2001, making his international debut on 25 may 2001, as a substitute in a friendly against mexico at pride park. his first england start came on 27 march 2002 in a friendly against italy. at the 2002 fifa world cup, mills was chosen as england's first choice right-back following an injury to gary neville, and he played every minute of england's five matches.