Ben White Makes England Return After Three-Year Hiatus
Arsenal defender Ben White has been recalled to the England national team squad, marking his first selection since his early departure from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The Football Association confirmed the surprise inclusion on Monday, ending a prolonged absence from the international setup for the 28-year-old.
Injuries Prompt Squad Reshuffle Ahead of March Fixtures
England manager Thomas Tuchel has been forced to make late changes to his squad ahead of this month's international break due to a couple of injury setbacks. White's return comes alongside the call-up of Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes, who last featured for the senior side in October 2020.
The pair replace Arsenal midfielder Eberechi Eze and Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah, both ruled out of the March internationals through injury. An official FA statement detailed: "Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes and Arsenal's Ben White have been added to the England squad. The pair replace Arsenal's Eberechi Eze and Bayer Leverkusen's Jarell Quansah who are ruled out of the Three Lions' March internationals through injury."
White's International Record and Upcoming Matches
White, who has earned four senior caps for England since his debut in 2021, will now be available for the upcoming friendlies at Wembley Stadium. The Three Lions are scheduled to host Uruguay on Friday, 27 March, with a 7:45 PM kick-off, followed by a match against Japan on Tuesday, 31 March, also at 7:45 PM.
This recall represents a significant turnaround for the defender, whose previous England involvement ended controversially when he left the World Cup camp early for personal reasons. His consistent performances for Arsenal in the Premier League this season have evidently caught Tuchel's eye, prompting this unexpected return to the fold.
Barnes, with his sole England appearance coming nearly six years ago, also sees a long-awaited return, adding further depth to Tuchel's attacking options. The manager will be hoping both players can make an immediate impact as England build towards future competitive fixtures.
