Liam Duckstein
Arsenal defender Ben White has returned to the England squad for upcoming fixtures against Uruguay and Japan. He is joined by Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes as Thomas Tuchel adjusts his roster following injuries to Eberechi Eze and Jarell Quansah.
White Ends International Absence
Ben White earns his first call-up since the 2022 World Cup. Although he was part of the squads for Euro 2020 and the tournament in Qatar, he failed to see any minutes on the pitch. The 28-year-old famously left the 2022 camp for personal reasons, and previous reports indicated he had requested not to be selected following a rumored disagreement with former assistant manager Steve Holland. This return offers the Arsenal man a fresh start under the new management structure as England builds toward the 2026 World Cup.
Barnes Commits to Three Lions
Harvey Barnes receives a chance to add to his single international cap earned in 2020. Despite interest from Scotland, the Newcastle United attacker has remained focused on his career with England. Steve Clarke recently confirmed that the former Leicester City player would not be switching allegiances.
“Harvey’s going to concentrate on trying to play for England. Nobody needs to ask me or Harvey about it any more.”
The competition for wide positions remains fierce. Barnes must outperform several established names to secure a long-term spot, including:
- Bukayo Saka
- Marcus Rashford
- Jarrod Bowen
- Anthony Gordon
- Noni Madueke
Alexander-Arnold Overlooked Again
The selection of White highlights the continued absence of Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold. The former Liverpool defender was omitted from the initial March squad and was passed over again when Quansah withdrew. Following a 3-2 victory for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid, Alexander-Arnold posted a social media message stating “Madrid. And nothing else”, which many interpreted as a response to his international exclusion.
The right-back hierarchy continues to shift. While White returns, other options like Djed Spence, Reece James from Chelsea, and Quansah have all featured in recent rotations. These March friendlies serve as a critical audition for those aiming to represent England in North America. Follow TipsGG for comprehensive international football updates.