Thomas Tuchel holds talks with Arsenal star Ben White over shock England recall after three-year exile from squad

BEN WHITE has held talks with Thomas Tuchel over a potential England return. The Arsenal right-back has not played for the Three Lions since March 2022 following an alleged falling out with former assistant Steve Holland at the Qatar World Cup. Since then, White, 27, has ruled himself out of selection for the national team – missing the run to the Euro 2024 final in Germany under Gareth Southgate last summer.

But Tuchel – who officially began work as England boss on January 1 after his October 2024 appointment – has made contact with White to determine whether he should include him in next month’s World Cup qualifiers squad. England face Albania on March 21 before taking on Latvia on March 24.

German coach Tuchel has spent the first seven weeks of his reign attending more than 20 live games across Europe and speaking to players in person or over video calls – including White. Speaking at the 2026 World Cup draw back in December, Tuchel confirmed that he would reach out to White and that has now happened.

It is unknown what was said in the pair’s chat, as well as whether Arsenal would allow the player to join up with England having only just returned from a three-month lay-off after knee surgery. But Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said back in March 2024: “As manager I want the best for him, personally and professionally, and he really needs to feel it.

“Hopefully he’s prepared to represent his country in the best way possible one day. That would be the best option for everybody. But that’s completely up to him.”. White would be competing with the likes of Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James and Tino Livramento, but offers great versatility as a right-back, centre back and midfielder.

He has four caps, and made his senior debut on June 2, 2021 in a pre-Euros friendly against Austria. He was not included in the final squad before a late call-up for the injured Alexander-Arnold. In England’s Qatar World Cup camp, White left early for “personal reasons” without making a single appearance – it later transpired it was down to a comment Holland made to him in front of the rest of the squad.

Upon returning to play for Arsenal, White was abused from stands in the Premier League with chants of: ‘You let your country down’. Southgate – who resigned after the Euro 2024 final 2-1 defeat to Spain – later stressed it had nothing to do with the player’s relationship with Holland.

James Maddison is among those hoping for an England recall too, while Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner urged the new boss to hand Eberechi Eze a place in the squad. Speaking after Saturday's win over Fulham, Glasner said: "I have known him for a year now and he has a lot of potential. If he shows this then he has the potential to be a starter for England.