Ben White has earned a surprise recall to the England squad, marking his first international call-up since 2022.
The Arsenal defender had not featured for England since leaving the camp during the 2022 FIFA World Cup for personal reasons. He later made himself unavailable throughout Gareth Southgate’s tenure.
Tuchel brings White back into fold
New England boss Thomas Tuchel has included White in his expanded 35-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley.
The 27-year-old replaces Jarell Quansah, who has been ruled out due to a thigh injury.
White has four caps for England, with his last appearance coming in a 3-0 friendly win over Ivory Coast in March 2022.
Limited league action but European impact
Despite making only a handful of Premier League appearances this season, White has been involved regularly in Arsenal’s Champions League campaign, featuring in eight matches as the club reached the quarter-finals.
He also started in Arsenal’s recent Carabao Cup final defeat, showing he remains a trusted option in big matches.
Alexander-Arnold misses out again
Meanwhile, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been left out for the fourth consecutive squad, despite strong performances for Real Madrid.
His absence continues to raise questions, especially as England prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
Fresh chapter for White
White’s return signals a fresh start under Tuchel, who appears willing to reintegrate previously unavailable players as he shapes his squad.
With international fixtures approaching, the defender now has a chance to re-establish himself and compete for a place ahead of the World Cup.
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