Ben White Stands by England Stance and Insists Public Does Not Know 'Full Story'

Arsenal defender Ben White has asserted that the public does not know the "full story" surrounding his previous England exile, insisting that he would make the exact same choice again. The 29-year-old, who currently holds six England caps, has been included in Thomas Tuchel's squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures after returning to the international setup.

White's hiatus began when he left the Three Lions' camp during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because of personal reasons, after which he made himself unavailable for selection throughout the remainder of Gareth Southgate's tenure. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live's football correspondent John Murray about those who define his England career by the events in Qatar, White explained: "I think obviously people don't know the full story, because I [have] never said anything and I won't put anyone under the bus or share any of that." While acknowledging he was not happy about the situation, White added that in hindsight he would not alter his actions, explaining: "I think as a person I am quite real and I think I made the decision that I would probably continue to make. So, one that I am not happy about, but obviously it happened and [it is] time to move on."

White made his return to the international stage in March under Tuchel, marking his first England appearance in over three years during a 1-1 draw with Uruguay. That night at Wembley proved to be a whirlwind for the defender, who was jeered by some fans before scoring and subsequently conceding the penalty that allowed Uruguay to equalize. Following that match, Chelsea midfielder Jordan Henderson stated that he and the squad would always back White, while Tuchel recently stated that the defender warrants "a new chapter" and should receive "positive feedback from the crowd."

Looking ahead to the upcoming international fixtures, England are scheduled to take on Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, 12 November, followed by an encounter with world champions Spain in Madrid three days later. White expressed his excitement at being involved, calling the selection an "amazing privilege" and noting that the feeling of representing England remains identical whenever the opportunity arrives.