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Ben White could make his first England appearances in over three years this month, following the end of a self-imposed absence from the national side that dates back to the 2022 World Cup.
The Arsenal defender had earned his international debut in 2021 and was selected for the tournament in Qatar by then-England boss Gareth Southgate. However, he ended up departing the squad after the group stage, with the Football Association citing "personal reasons" at the time.
As a right back, White was a pivotal figure for the Gunners as they mounted a Premier League title challenge for the first time in 15 years. Yet he inexplicably remained absent from the national setup.
In the lead-up to Euro 2024, Southgate disclosed that White, through a phone call to the FA from former Arsenal sporting director Edu, had requested not to be considered for selection. Southgate confirmed that White would have featured in the England squad had he been willing.
"We received a call from Edu last week saying Ben didn't want to be considered for England squads at the moment," Southgate explained in March 2024.
Alleged 2022 Fall Out Over 'Barbed Comment'
Southgate revealed that "reticence" had existed on White's part about rejoining the England setup from the moment the Qatar World Cup concluded. He said he was unaware of the exact reason, but kept the door "open" for White to reconsider. "He's a good player."
Southgate dismissed any suggestion of a conflict with assistant manager Steve Holland being behind White's decision to make himself unavailable. "There is no issue between us at all and there's also no issue with Steve Holland, which has been mentioned in articles, and I don't like that. That is not the reason Ben is not with us."
The alleged falling-out between White and Holland is said to have been ignited by what was reported in 2024 as a "barbed comment" made by the latter during the World Cup.
It reportedly stemmed from a question Holland posed to White about Arsenal's performances during the 2021–22 season—a period when White had not featured for the Gunners. The assistant manager had previously asked Kyle Walker the same type of question regarding Manchester City.
White is widely regarded as a dedicated professional who is passionate about training and playing, but who has little interest in following football off the pitch. "I go home and football is not on my mind. I can just be a normal person, relax," he once told the Telegraph.
It stands to reason that he wouldn't have known the answer to a question about Arsenal prior to joining the club. However, Holland allegedly implied that White lacked sufficient interest in the game. The comment itself wasn't what triggered White's eventual departure and refusal to be called up again. Instead, it was believed to be the public nature of the exchange—not considered a full argument—that caused the damage, as it took place in front of fellow squad members.
Why Ben White Is Back in the England Squad
White brought his international exile to an end when Thomas Tuchel was appointed England manager at the beginning of 2025. The German coach revealed he had spoken to the player immediately, with White expressing his willingness to be selected.
Despite Southgate's insistence that no specific issue existed, the timing of that reversal strongly suggests White felt there was a reason he could not commit to the national team under the previous management.
Nevertheless, a series of injuries that kept him sidelined at Arsenal, followed by a loss of his regular starting berth to Jurriën Timber, meant it took until now for White to genuinely earn his way back into the England picture.
White wasn't even included in Tuchel's original 35-man squad—the final selection before a provisional list is submitted ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
However, the injury withdrawal of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jaraell Quansah, combined with Reece James already being ruled out, Kyle Walker's international retirement, and Trent Alexander-Arnold once again being overlooked, opened the door for White's return.