England: Thomas Tuchel on Ben White's recall to the international team and why Trent Alexander-Arnold has been overlooked again
Thomas Tuchel called up Ben White instead of Trent Alexander-Arnold as replacement for Jarell Quansah; England boss says White must talk with team-mates about his self-imposed exile; England host Uruguay in friendly on Friday; kick-off 7.45pm. Follow it on the Sky Sports website and App.
Thursday 26 March 2026 20:09, UK
Thomas Tuchel says Ben White must "clear the air" with his England team-mates as he defended calling up the Arsenal defender after he ended his self-imposed international exile.
White left the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to personal reasons after not featuring in the group stage matches. Following a disagreement with the then assistant manager, Steve Holland, he declined a call up by Gareth Southgate for the international break in March 2024.
However, he made it clear to Tuchel he would be available for selection again and has been brought into this camp as a replacement for the injured Jarell Quansah, with England facing Uruguay in a friendly at Wembley on Friday night before hosting Japan on Tuesday.
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Tuchel says White will now have to talk with the team-mates who were part of that World Cup squad and in this camp.
"First of all, I think everyone deserves a second chance," said Tuchel. "Second, I don't know exactly what happened. I was also not 100 per cent interested because I wanted to open a new page and a new book and a new opportunity.
"Once I asked Ben if he would be ready to play for me and for England, he straightaway, without hesitation, said he would love to come back and was desperate to come back.
"[When he got the call after Quansah's injury] The reaction came within seconds. It was very euphoric, very positive and very emotional about it. That showed me he really means it.
"The way he behaves and the way he has trained here in camp has been exceptional, very, very good. It shows his quality.
"I think it's necessary he clears the air with his team-mates and I think he will with players who come back who were in the World Cup together with him.
"Then we go from there. Let's see how it goes and let's see how he feels, if he feels as comfortable and as confident as he thought he would. Until now, this is the case.
"He has my support, hopefully he gets the support from the spectators and we take it from there."
Why was White picked over Alexander-Arnold?
Tuchel was also quizzed on why he continues to overlook Trent Alexander-Arnold, with White preferred as a right-back replacement for Quansah than the Real Madrid defender.
His answer finished with a blunt instruction to Alexander-Arnold: "He just has to accept it."
Tuchel said: "It's just a choice. A sportive choice. Maybe a hard choice. And maybe to a degree unfair," said Tuchel.
"The choice was for White because I saw him play in the [Carabao Cup] final, in the Champions League match before and he was back to his old self. It was a chance to meet him in person.
"I know what Trent can give us so the choice was for Ben and Tino Livramento, to stick with the guys who had a good camp with us in September, November, December. Djed Spence as well.
"I know it creates noise when you leave a player like Trent out. We had a call, I tried to explain the situation. He just has to accept it."
'Positive pressure' - Tuchel on a chance impress
With this being the final England camp before Tuchel names his England squad for the World Cup, Tuchel conceded the was pressure on players to show what they can do.
And with 11 regulars not joining the camp until after Friday's friendly with Uruguay, there is a big opportunity for fringe players to step up.
"It's a good atmosphere. We addressed it right away that it's the last camp and encouraged everyone to be the best version of themselves," said Tuchel about the situation.
"We try to build a team effort, we demand a positive attitude, that everyone tries to connect as quick as possible.
"We are ready to have a good match [on Friday]. Will everything work smoothly on the pitch? Probably not. But that's the situation they're in.
"It's a positive pressure because they fight for England and a ticket to the World Cup.
"Decisions will be made later in May. [Friday] is just a chance to impress."
Follow England vs Uruguay on Sky Sports' digital platforms on Friday; kick-off 7.45pm
