White reveals he 'had a cry' after missing out on World Cup spot
Ben White has revealed that missing out on last summer's World Cup through injury left him in tears, offering a striking contrast to the image of the player who famously walked out of England's Qatar camp back in 2022.
The Arsenal defender, 29, was recalled to the England fold by Thomas Tuchel in March after four years in the international wilderness, only for injury to scupper his chances of going to the United States. Speaking to the Mirror, White explained how he dealt with the setback.
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“It was one I had to process quickly. And get my head around as I knew I would not be ready,” he said. “So I had a cry around the pitch when it happened and focused on my career. I've been obviously around it and not quite put my foot in the door in these big games. And yeah, it's definitely something I want to do and be involved in for sure.”
No regrets over Qatar exit
White remains guarded about exactly what happened in 2022, when he left the England camp during the World Cup. Former boss Gareth Southgate later said publicly that White had made himself unavailable and had snubbed a recall, though he always downplayed any rift with assistant Steve Holland as the sole cause.
White was asked whether he would do the same again. “There were loads of things that happened and communication wasn't great,” he said. “I don't want to throw anyone under the bus; a lot of people try to do that to me so it's something I don't want to do myself. I was a bit younger. Obviously, I'm a bit older now. I think, as a person, I'm quite real, and I think I made the decision that I would probably continue to make. I think just people don't know the full story, and because I've never said anything or share any of that because I think it's probably the best way. But it's obviously amazing to be here now.”
On his relationship with Tuchel, White was enthusiastic. “Yeah, obviously, an amazing privilege to be called up, and the feeling is the same every time when you do get this chance to play for England and one I'm really looking forward to this week,” he said. “Yes, even until now, the manager's communication is amazing. He's always in contact, and I think a manager that you really want to play for, that you want to give everything to, and someone that I think understands the level that it needs to be.”
Booing doesn't bother him
White was booed on his first appearance back for England against Uruguay, a match in which he both scored and conceded a penalty. He says the reaction does not trouble him.
“Everyone can do whatever they want. Booing is fine. You know, it's fine with me,” he told the BBC. “Whatever they want to do, and I think just think about maybe not knowing the full story. And if they did, maybe they wouldn't.”
He also addressed his well known comments about not watching football outside of playing it. “To be fair, I don't. I don't know if I actually said I don't like it because people say I don't like football, which is obviously not true. It's because I don't watch it, which I think is quite normal for someone that does a job and then doesn't go home and then continue watching that job. But I think it's my way of release from the game because it's so intense, obviously.”
With Tuchel now firmly in charge and White established as a regular at both right back and centre half for Arsenal, the defender appears focused on finally securing his place in a major tournament squad.
