Thomas Tuchel Reveals Whether Ben White Will Return To The England Squad After Three Lions Boycott

England boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Ben White has made himself available to play for England again, after a dispute which has lasted since the 2022 World Cup.

White has made himself unavailable for selection since he left the England camp mid-way through the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The Gareth Southgate.

Reports though stated that this was due to a falling out between White and Southgate’s No 2 Steve Holland.

White did not feature for former interim boss Lee Carsley and there had been questions over whether the 26-year-old would be willing to return for new Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel.

After naming his first 26-man squad, Tuchel was asked whether White will play for England again.

Thomas Tuchel says Ben White's absence from the latest England squad is purely down to the defender only recently returning from injury.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/zhf8eG5b9d

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 14, 2025

Will Ben White Play For England Again?

Despite not being selected for England’s World Cup qualifiers this month, Thomas Tuchel revealed that Ben White would ‘love’ to play for England again.

He told reporters: “He’d love to be back in the squad. I just think it’s a bit too early now given the seriousness of the injury that he had.

“We are honoured (to be ) speaking to him, speaking to Ben, delighted that he’s back on the bench. Now it’s just a question of getting more minutes, more rhythm. He wants to be back.”

Tuchel has opted to pick Reece James, Kyle Walker and Tino Livramento as his options at right-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was injured and unavailable for selection – also ruling him out of this weekend’s Carabao Cup final.

White missed 21 Arsenal game between November and February after a knee injury that required surgery.

He has made three substitute appearances and one start for Arsenal since his return.

Why Did White Make Himself Unavailable For Selection?

Thomas Tuchel’s predecessor, Gareth Southgate, revealed in March 2024 that FA technical director John McDermott had received a call from then-Arsenal sporting director Edu saying Ben White did not wish to be considered for international selection.

White had not been involved in the England set-up since the 2022 World Cup which he left for ‘personal reasons’.

The Athletic reported that White struggled being with the England camp but not being considered for selection to play. He also was said to be uncomfortable about being a ‘long way from home’.

Large part of the blame has been put on an apparent row between White and Steve Holland.

Holland was understood to have made a comment in front of other players about White’s ission in an interview that he did not like football. White reportedly was not happy with the comments made by Southgate’s assistant.

England’s former assistant manager has denied reports that there was an angry row between the pair. White has not spoken about the reports.

Tuchel’s comments though makes it look like a possibility that White will play for England again under new management.