Ben White will not be playing for England at Euro 2024 after coach Gareth Southgate omitted the Arsenal star from the Three Lions’ squad for this summer’s tournament.
The Three Lions will bid to become champions of Europe for the first time this summer after losing in the Euro 2020 final. Italy beat England on penalties in their first-ever appearance in a Euros final three years ago. Southgate is also seeking England’s first major title since 1966.
England have taken a mix of youth and experience to Germany amongst Southgate’s 26-man squad. Arsenal trio Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Declan Rice will also strive to help the Three Lions conquer the continent. But Southgate made no effort to convince White to join.
Ben White made himself unavailable for England selection under Gareth Southgate
White has not represented England since the 2022 World Cup after the right-back returned from Qatar early. The 26-year-old also failed to feature at the FIFA tournament with his four caps so far coming in two pre-Euro 2020 friendlies and two further friendlies in March 2022.
A return to the England squad for Euro 2024 was there for White to take if the Arsenal star wanted it, though. But he has elected to withdraw from international selection for, at least, the time being. White made himself unavailable for England boss Southgate in March 2024.
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His versatility and ability to make an impact at both ends of the field would likely have made White a shoo-in for selection. Yet Southgate will endure Euro 2024 without the Poole native, who offered Arsenal four goals and five assists through 51 appearances in the 2023/24 term.
What has Gareth Southgate said about Ben White’s England availability?
A place in England’s Euro 2024 squad would likely have been available to White had he given Southgate a call. The Three Lions boss stated in March that, ‘The door is open’, for him after Arsenal sporting director Edu told England chiefs that White did not want to be considered.
White, however, did not pull a U-turn on his position before Southgate named England’s 33-man provisional squad or the final 26 players flying to Germany for Euro 2024. Kyle Walker, Joe Gomez, Ezri Konsa and Kieran Trippier will act as the Three Lions’ options at right-back.
Southgate also issued a blunt response to why White was not included in England’s 33-man provisional squad for Euro 2024. The Three Lions coach simply stated when asked if he had contacted the Gunners star to discuss a U-turn: “No. As far as I am aware, he is unavailable.”
Why is Arsenal defender Ben White not playing for England?
It is still unconfirmed why Arsenal defender White chose against making himself available to play for England under Southgate ahead of Euro 2024. But The Telegraph reported in March that his self-imposed exile stems from falling out with Steve Holland at the 2022 World Cup.
White and Holland clashed in front of other England players in Qatar as Southgate’s assistant coach questioned the Arsenal star’s interest in football. The pair had already discussed their views on the subject in private, so White felt Holland disrespected him in front of his peers.
England, Southgate and Holland did not feel there was any lingering rift until White asked to return home early from the World Cup. The Poole native was an unused substitute for their first two games in Qatar and has not featured in a Three Lions squad since November 2022.
