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The 24-year-old damaged the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Arsenal's FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, with his club announcing on Monday that he will be unavailable for around six months.
As well as missing the rest of the season, it means that Walcott is all but certain to miss Brazil 2014, which begins in June.
As a player, it's devastating. I missed out on a World Cup in '98 through injury and it's something that you never truly get over.
Ian Wright
Wright, who sat out the 1998 World Cup in France due to a hamstring injury, told BBC Radio Five Live on Tuesday: "As a player, it's devastating. I missed out on a World Cup in '98 through injury and it's something that you never truly get over.
"In the end I didn't actually get to play in any, but for someone like Theo who has been there but not played - but he has been there - for this one I feel he would have been ready."
Former England striker Michael Owen, who sustained a serious knee injury during Germany 2006, also voiced support for Walcott.
"Shocking news regarding Theo Walcott," Owen wrote on Twitter. "I wish him a speedy recovery and hope he returns next season as good as ever."
Walcott's injury could open the door for James Milner, Andros Townsend, Raheem Sterling, Adam Lallana or Aaron Lennon, all of whom will hope to take his place on the right flank of England's attack.
Walcott out of World Cup
Monday 6 January 2014
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Arsenal and England have been rocked by the news that forward Theo Walcott will miss the rest of the season and the FIFA World Cup™ due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee.
The Gunners confirmed on their official website that Walcott is likely to be out for at least six months as a result of the problem sustained in the 2-0 FA Cup third-round win over Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
Walcott was taken from the field on a stretcher - and was subsequently pelted with objects thrown from the away end - after appearing to jar his knee when making a tackle during the closing stages of the encounter although the injury has turned out to be more severe.
"After coming off injured in Saturday's 2-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur, the club regrettably announces that Theo Walcott has sustained a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee," said the statement on the club's official website, www.arsenal.com.
"Theo will have surgery in London in the near future and is expected to be out for at least six months, therefore missing the remainder of the season and the World Cup in Brazil in the summer."
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