Kesler was named to the orientation camp for the American team at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin held from September 5–8, 2005 in Colorado Springs, Colorado at World Arena. Kesler, one of the youngest players at the camp, did not make the final roster for the Games. Rather, Kesler made his national men's team debut three months after the Olympics at the 2006 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships in Riga, Latvia. Kesler finished the tournament with one point in seven games, assisting on a Yan Stastny goal in the United States' 3–0 victory versus Denmark. He was named the United States' player of the game in their 6–0 quarter-final loss against Sweden. Kesler formed a part of the United States men's national ice hockey team during the 2010 Winter Olympics, winning a silver medal with the team during that years' Olympic tournament. Kesler also formed a part of the U.S. men's national team for the 2014 Winter Olympics.