After more than three years since his contentious departure, Ben White is making a surprising return to the England squad.

This unexpected recall marks White’s first inclusion since he left Gareth Southgate’s World Cup camp in Qatar in November 2022, following a reported dispute with then-assistant manager Steve Holland. His return offers a chance for redemption in the national team.

White, who last donned the England jersey in a 3-0 friendly victory against Ivory Coast in March 2022, was not anticipated to rejoin the squad. His selection for the expanded 35-man roster, ahead of matches against Uruguay and Japan, comes as a replacement for the injured Jarell Quansah, and had not been previously rumored.

Once a key player for Arsenal, White has recently found himself on the fringes, struggling to recover his form and fitness following knee surgery. This season, he has been more of a spectator, with others stepping in for both his club and country roles.

The 28-year-old has started in just five of Arsenal’s 31 Premier League matches this season, along with four out of nine Champions League fixtures. Even when he has played, his performances have lacked the sharpness and vigor that once characterized his game. Notably, his dynamic runs and effective partnership with fellow England star Bukayo Saka have been missing.

Ben White is back and looking to add to his four England caps, the last of which came in 2022

It is the first time the Arsenal star has been called up since leaving the 2022 World Cup camp under Gareth Southgate (left), after a fallout with assistant coach Steve Holland (right)

England is not short on right-back talent. Despite injuries to Reece James and Quansah, the squad already includes regular starters like Tino Livramento and Djed Spence, who consistently play for Newcastle and Tottenham. Moreover, notable players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis remain on the sidelines, making White’s path back to prominence a challenging one.

And yet, two years since Southgate declared that White had made himself ‘unavailable’ for England selection and with 12 weeks until the World Cup opener against Croatia, White has a route back.

After being appointed in October 2024, Tuchel wasted little time in addressing this White elephant in the room. Daily Mail Sport understands that he spoke to White within months of his appointment, to understand the player’s position. Since then, there have been further talks, always gradual and low-key. 

Sources say that the German’s personable approach and willingness to acknowledge the context around White’s 2022 exit has played a significant role in changing White’s stance.

If anything, White had come to accept that his international career might already be over. That context makes this call-up feel even more surprising, particularly given how physically testing this season has been for him.

White has endured a frustrating recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery in November 2024 — a ‘minor’ procedure by definition, but one that has proven troublesome for the full back.

The operation initially sidelined him for around three months, costing the defender 21 matches between November 2024 and February 2025. For a player who had missed just seven league games in his first three seasons at Arsenal since a £50million move from Brighton, it was an unfamiliar interruption.

Even this season, White has still been searching for full fitness and suffered various knocks and niggles. Yet there also signs that he is moving in the right direction and has more to offer.

Injuries to Reece James and Jarell Quansah have allowed White back into the England setup 

White has struggled for fitness and game time this season but has put in several strong showings in recent weeks

He played well against Bayer Leverkusen last week in Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 second leg tie at the Emirates, showing flashes that his devastating link-up with Saka was back to its best down the right flank.

Inside the Arsenal dressing room he remains a popular figure, valued for his dry humour and understated presence.

White’s hard work on and off the pitch has got him on Tuchel’s radar. He is not guaranteed minutes, let alone a place in any future tournament squad. Others are ahead of him, sharper and more established in the England setup.

But for the first time in more than three years, the door is open again. And for that, White has Tuchel to thank.