Thomas Tuchel gives update on Ben White’s England future after latest snub

Thomas Tuchel has explained why Ben White is not in the latest England squad despite the Arsenal star saying he was ready to return to the national team.

White has not featured for his country since leaving the Three Lions camp during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Gareth Southgate revealing last year that the defender had asked not to be called-up.

Speculation has been rife as to the reasons behind his international exile, especially give his impressive form for Arsenal, with rumours of a fall out with former assistant manager Steve Holland dismissed by Southgate.

But recently, White announced that he was ‘definitely available’ to make his long awaited return to the national team under new head coach Tuchel.

However, the 27-year-old was not included in the latest squad which was announced on Friday ahead of the final weekend of Premier League action.

England travel to Andorra for a World Cup qualifier on June 7, before playing Senegal in a friendly three days later at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.

Tuchel said White’s absence was down to both personal and physical reason, but said that he was very hopeful of working with the Gunner in the future.

‘He was involved in the latest matches of Arsenal but we had a talk and decided now is not the moment because he will become a father very soon,’ the German said in a press conference.

‘The baby is due right on the exact date of the camp. It is his first child and we wish him and his wife all the best.

‘We thought if he comes back it should be with a clear mind and full focus on football which is now not the case. We decided together this is not the camp for him to come back.

‘The second reason is although he played lately I think he can still have 10-15 per cent increase in the physical ability. Given all the circumstances we decided that he is not with us.

‘100 per cent, he was ready to be selected now but the main [reason why he wasn’t] was because of family.’

White, who can play at right-back or centre-back, missed four months of the season after undergoing knee surgery and has started just five Premier League games in 2025.

Ivan Toney ‘deserves’ England recall

Perhaps the most surprising inclusion in this latest England squad was the return of Ivan Toney who has not featured for his country since coming off the bench in the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

The striker made a surprise transfer from Brentford to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli last summer, a move seen by many as the death of his Three Lions career.

But Tuchel has given the 29-year-old another chance, snubbing Dominic Solanke despite Tottenham’s Europe League triumph, with the head coach saying: ‘Ivan deserves to be with us.

‘I am convinced because he scored over 20 goals this season, he won major title with Asian Champions League and had big involvement with the team.

‘I told you last time, I would try to put a visit in my schedule to visit him in Saudi which I didn’t make so I thought why not bring him over. It is a good occasion now to test new players, meet Ivan in person and see him in the environment.

‘We decided for three No.9s with [Ollie] Watkins and Harry [Kane]. Dom deserved to be with us but he was in the [March] camp already and I have a clear picture of what he can bring to the group.

‘So now is the moment to see new players and see them within the group. Because Ollie and Ivan were not with us, that is basically the decision.’

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