Ben White has made a return to the England squad for the first time since his voluntary withdrawal from international duties following the 2022 World Cup.
White steps in to fill the spot left by Jarell Quansah in Thomas Tuchel’s lineup for the last training camp before this summer’s World Cup. England is scheduled to face Uruguay and Japan in a pair of upcoming friendly matches.
Meanwhile, Eberechi Eze of the England team has pulled out of the squad and will be replaced by Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes. This international break serves as the final opportunity for Tuchel to evaluate his players before finalizing his team selection for the World Cup taking place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Reports suggest that White’s initial departure was due to a disagreement with Gareth Southgate’s assistant, Steve Holland, after which White indicated he would not return to the national team.
Having earned four caps for England, White’s most recent appearance was in March 2022 during a 3-0 victory over Ivory Coast.
White has been called up to the England squad for the first time since the 2022 World Cup , when he entered a self-imposed exile from international football
White was so sure on not ending his exile that he organised his 2023 wedding to model Milly Adams on an international break long before the squad was even announced
The disagreement reportedly originated when Holland questioned White’s passion for football during England’s campaign in Qatar in November 2022.
Southgate’s assistant reportedly asked Kyle Walker a question related to Manchester City’s performances in the previous season, before posing the same question to White in regards to Arsenal.
The 26-year-old allegedly claimed he did not know the answer, leading Holland to claim that was down to his lack of interest in football.
The conversation is said to have happened in front of other members of the squad. White was particularly upset by the public nature of the conversation, rather than by Holland’s specific comment.
White was so sure on not ending his exile that he organised his 2023 wedding to model Milly Adams on an international break long before the squad was even announced.
In March 2024 Southgate revealed that former Arsenal sporting director Edu had called him and FA technical John McDermott and revealed that White ‘did not want to be considered for England squads at this time’. This ruled White out of an international return ahead of Euro 2024, Southgate’s last tournament in charge.
His decision to refuse to play under Southgate led to heavy criticism. Indeed, former England captain Stuart Pearce was particularly scathing in his assessment, claiming that if players let you down once ‘they will always let you down’.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, however, defended his player, saying he was ‘brave’ to remove himself from contention after ‘struggling’ with the national side. He also strongly disputed that the player did not care about representing his country.
‘It certainly wasn’t about that,’ Arteta said. ‘It was about being the opposite, just facing the situation and saying: “I cannot handle it now, and I am not the best person to represent the country the way I feel right now.” For me, it was completely the opposite. I think not a lot of people would do it.
‘What a lot of people would do is hide in that context, in that environment, and let time go and nobody talks about it. What he did in my opinion was very brave. Not a lot of people would have done it.’
White flew home the day after England’s 3-0 win over Wales at Qatar 2022 and has not played for the national team since
Quansah’s injury leaves Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Newcastle’s Tino Livramento as the two players White will be competing against for right back ahead of Friday’s meeting with Uruguay
Tuchel, who officially replaced Southgate last January, said before he was appointed that he would reach out to White with the view of returning him to the fold.
White himself confirmed last May that he had made himself available to Tuchel, saying: ‘I’m definitely available. I spoke to him a few times.
‘He’s such a nice, nice man – very honest. I haven’t been back for too long. So it’s just about playing now and hopefully making my way back in.’
Southgate meanwhile disputed reports that White had fallen out with Holland – who is now assistant coach to Michael Carrick at Manchester United – during the tournament.
The former England boss said in March 2024: ‘I spoke to him post Qatar because I was keen to pick him and there was clearly reticence on his side. I don’t know fully why that is but I have to respect that.
‘I want to leave the door open for him because he’s a good player. I think he’s a player who can make a difference for England.
‘But he’s not available to us and so the only other thing I would say is there is no issue between us at all, and also never an issue with Steve Holland because that has been mentioned in articles and I don’t like that.
‘People can talk about me and I have to accept things get said that are false about me and for whatever reason in this role, you have to almost stomach that. But I’m not prepared for that to happen to a key member of my coaching team because that is not the reason Ben is unavailable for selection.
‘He would be in this squad. But he’s not available to us so I have to focus on those who can help us.’
With Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier retired from international football, Reece James injured and Trent Alexander-Arnold not selected, there is a clear opening at right back ahead of this summer’s tournament.
Quansah’s injury leaves Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Newcastle’s Tino Livramento as the two players White will be competing against ahead of Friday’s meeting with Uruguay.
