White must clear air with England team-mates - Tuchel

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ben White (right) has four caps for England, the last against the Ivory Coast in March 2022

Football reporter at Wembley StadiumPublished26 March 2026, 20:50 GMT200 CommentsUpdated 43 minutes agoThomas Tuchel says Ben White must "clear the air" with his England team-mates after returning to the squad for the first time in four years.

The Arsenal defender last played for his country in March 2022 and was called up for the Qatar World Cup later that year, but left the camp for "personal reasons" after a disagreement with then-assistant manager Steve Holland.

White, 28, then made himself "unavailable for selection" for the rest of former England manager Gareth Southgate's tenure, which ended after the Euros in July 2024.

"I think everyone deserves a second chance," said current boss Tuchel, when asked why White was considered for selection again.

"I don't know exactly what happened. I was not 100% interested in that as I wanted to open a new page.

"Once I asked Ben if he would be ready to play for me and for England he straight away, and without hesitation, said he would love that and he was desperate to come back.

"I think it's necessary he clears the air with team-mates and I think he will when players come back, who were in the World Cup with him."

England have friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley in the last international break before Tuchel names his squad for the World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada this summer.

The German said White, who can play at right-back and centre-back, did not hesitate when offered a recall.

"When the chance opened up for him with the injury to Jarrell Quansah very late, the reaction came within seconds, and was very euphoric, and very positive and he was emotional about it, which shows me that he really means it," he added.

"The way he behaves and has trained in camp has been very good and shows his quality."

Tuchel has named a 35-man squad for the matches against Uruguay on Friday (19:45 GMT), and then Japan on Tuesday (19:45 GMT), with 11 players - including captain Harry Kane, and Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice - joining on Saturday morning after being given time off to rest.

Recalling White for England was not the only big call for Tuchel.

The 52-year-old again omitted Real Madrid right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and the former Liverpool defender, 27, has not been selected since June last year.

"It's just a choice," said Tuchel. "A sporting choice. A difficult choice and maybe a hard choice - and maybe to a certain degree unfair, but these choices have to be made."

White has started just 15 times for Arsenal this season, but his performances in Arsenal's run to a Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City and the Champions League last 16 got him the nod.

"It was a chance to meet him in person," added Tuchel.

"I think I know what Trent can give us, so the choice was for Ben and for Tino Livramento, to stick with the guys who actually had good camps with us in September, November, December.

"They also need the minutes and there are a lot of good players for this position and Djed Spence as well, who fights for a ticket.

"I know it creates noise when you leave a player like Trent out. We had a call, I tried to explain the situation. He just has to accept it."

Tuchel also warned Chelsea's Cole Palmer that a place in the Three Lions squad for the World Cup will not be handed to him on a "silver platter".

The 23-year-old has returned to the England fold for the first time since last summer having missed the September, October and November camps because of a groin injury.

With Palmer winning just three caps since scoring the equaliser in the Euro 2024 final, the likes of Jude Bellingham, Morgan Rogers and Phil Foden have also staked their claims for his preferred number 10 position.

"We have more evidence without him than with him, so the pressure is on him," Tuchel added.

"He had a difficult season, but he has also had a difficult spell with the national team. He was only once available for us, and when he was available we decided to stick with the same squad, so there is big competition for his best position - number 10.

"He is in good spirits, he is open and he is communicating and is showing his quality.

"He is very engaged in the group and these are very important steps to show the performance to be involved in the group and have connections within the group, so he will get his chances during the next matches.

"We have had four training sessions and he needs to show up. He cannot hold back. He needs to understand he fights for his place, and we will not hand anything to anyone on a silver platter."

To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser

View comments | 200Top storiesLive. World Cup play-offs: Bosnia-Herzegovina win penalty shootout against Wales - reaction

Italy end Northern Ireland's World Cup hopes

Live. World Cup play-offs: Czech Republic beat Republic of Ireland on penalties

Your first look at the new series of Race Across the World

Phil Wang and Susie Dent challenge guests to coin new words

The vital role forensic science plays in delivering justice

Searching for answers decades on from an unsolved death

Saudi Pro League, the US or Europe - what are Salah's options?

Itauma fighting Usyk or Wardley a ridiculous conversation - Bunce

Watch Celtic's McAneny's world record-breaking halfway line goal. VideoWatch Celtic's McAneny's world record-breaking halfway line goal

Football Daily. AudioFootball Daily

Man Utd come from behind twice but lose first leg to Bayern. VideoMan Utd come from behind twice but lose first leg to Bayern

Sexism in football - a problem that isn't going away

'Kicked to the kerb' - is boxing failing its heroes?

£123 for a child's England kit - have prices gone too far?

Fabregas, film stars and Disney: How Como are disrupting Italian football. VideoFabregas, film stars and Disney: How Como are disrupting Italian football

Where does Salah rank among greatest Premier League forwards?

How Scotland reached the World Cup - told by those who made it happen

Football's great entertainers - ranking the biggest showboaters

Has Aston Martin's Newey team principal project failed? F1 Q&A

Dirt pitches, dodging dogs and choosing Chelsea - the making of Estevao

Newcastle v the system - is Saudi 2030 vision unrealistic?

Why in-form Fitzpatrick's game puts him among Masters favourites

Are autograph hunters going too far?

Three golds in 28 minutes - GB make history at World Indoors