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White: England fans don’t know full story

Arsenal defender Ben White says people don't know the "full story" behind his decision to previously make himself unavailable for England selection - but says he would make the same decision again.

✦ Extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting•From 3 sources•1 min read•Updated November 10, 2026, 3:01 PM UTC
Key points
  • White withdrew from the England squad at the 2022 tournament, and he’s never told the whole story of that decision.
  • But speaking this week, White has suggested he wouldn’t change what he did, and that if England supporters knew all the details, they might not have booed him in the way they did in March.
  • Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Ben White is back in the England squad for the current international break, receiving just his second call-up since the 2022 World Cup.

“People don’t know the full story, and I’ve never said anything, and won’t put anyone under the bus or share any of that.

Additional details
  • White made himself unavailable for the rest of Gareth Southgate’s time in charge and was given a frosty reception from the Wembley crowd when he came off the bench to make his first England appearance in almost four years during the friendly with Uruguay last March.
  • “Every time I watch Arsenal, I see a very strong Ben White in this position, and that’s why I think he deserves to open a new chapter.” Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images The other four Arsenal players to be called up for the November break are Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice, and Eberechi Eze, but Noni Madueke misses out.
  • Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images “I don’t think I would (change it),” White said.
  • If they did, maybe they wouldn’t [boo].” Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Thomas Tuchel seems to be a big fan of White’s, so it’s little wonder he’s decided to recall the right-back to his squad.
  • “Now Trevoh Chalobah is not in camp, that makes Jarell Quansah half a full-back and half a centre-back in camp, and gives Ben the opportunity to impose himself again.

How this summary was made: extractive summary — built from the sources' own reporting. It is drawn only from the reporting of the sources listed below — read the originals for full detail. How we summarize →

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Every article behind this summary — 3 articles from 3 outlets

Yahoo SportsNovember 10, 2026, 3:01 PM UTC → The Guardian SportNovember 9, 2026, 8:00 PM UTC → BBC SportNovember 9, 2026, 7:00 PM UTC →

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