The mysterious England absence of Ben White has finally come to an end

MANCHESTER, England — After a self-imposed exile that began with a sudden departure from England’s 2022 World camp, Arsenal defender Ben White has been recalled to the national squad by head coach Thomas Tuchel for the forthcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

White, 28, replaces Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah after the centre-back withdrew injured, ending a 27-month hiatus from international football. The call-up marks the first time White has accepted an England invitation since leaving Qatar for what the Football Association described only as “personal reasons” on the eve of the knockout phase.

Former manager Gareth Southgate repeatedly attempted to lure White back ahead of last summer’s European Championship, at one point stating: “For me, that is a great shame. He would be in this squad, but he’s not available to us and I have to focus on who can help us.” Southgate also denied speculation of a rift between White and then-assistant Steve Holland, yet the defender continued to make himself unavailable without ever publicly clarifying his stance.

Tuchel, appointed after Southgate’s departure, pledged to contact the versatile right-back and has now secured his return. Should White feature against Uruguay in Manchester on Saturday or Japan in Cologne four days later, it will be his first England appearance since earning his fourth cap in a 3-0 victory over Ivory Coast in March 2022.

The timing of the recall raises the possibility of White forcing his way into England’s plans for this year’s World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes also joins the squad as a replacement for Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze, who has withdrawn with an injury.

White, who has previously admitted he “just loved the game, was always playing it, never watching it,” now has the chance to reintroduce himself to England supporters and stake a claim for a place on the sport’s biggest stage.