TRENDING NFL trade deadline tracker Colts keep Taylor Vikings trade for Cousins Celtics better minus Brown? NFL Power Rankings Story by Story by Tottenham Hotspur legend calls for Arsenal's Ben White to be barred from England call-ups Thomas Tuchel has called up Arsenal defender Ben White -Credit:Mike Hewitt, Getty Images Patrick Austen-Hardy · All Out Soccer Tue, November 10, 2026 at 9:31 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tottenham Hotspur legend Chris Waddle believes Arsenal defender Ben White should be permanently barred from representing England. The Gunners star received a call-up from Thomas Tuchel for the Three Lions' UEFA Nations League games against Croatia and Spain.
Prior to Tuchel's appointment, White had made himself unavailable under both Sir Gareth Southgate and former interim England manager Lee Carsley. The fullback was sent home from the Three Lions' 2022 FIFA World Cup camp and had not received another call-up until Tuchel selected him in March this year.
White was met with jeers when he entered the field as a substitute in a friendly against Uruguay, and those boos could well return should he feature in the upcoming fixtures, as per football.london . When questioned about White's inclusion, Waddle made clear his belief that the former Brighton and Hove Albion defender should never be permitted to represent his country again.
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Chris Waddle does not feel White deserves a call-up -Credit:2021 Getty Images
Waddle, speaking to iGaming.com via Metro , said: "Listen, Ben White shouldn't be in the England squad, that's my opinion. He refused to represent his country. I'm surprised Thomas brought him back in, and I don't get why he has.
"There might be a shortage of full-backs, but when somebody turns down playing for their country, like Ben White did, to me that's a lifetime ban. I'd say, 'Forget it mate, on my watch you're not getting back in.'
"He's not playing every game at Arsenal, so he's a surprise inclusion to me. I think the England fans will show him what they think of what he did if he plays, because you don't turn your country down and say, 'I'm not interested in international football.'
"There are not many many players who would ever do that. There are even fewer who have been able to resurrect an international career after doing so.
"Once you turn your country down, there should be an asterisk next to your name that means you will never get the opportunity to put on that England shirt again. End of story. It's all right coming out and saying, 'Well, that was that time and this is now.'
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"But he knew what he was doing. If he didn't want to play then, why does he want to play now? As I say, he's not the permanent right-back at Arsenal.
"Okay, he's got that versatility where he can play center-half as well. From Tuchel's point of view, I think it's a very, very strange call-up for him to make and one that he probably doesn't need to make."
White has earned six international caps, but was omitted from the Three Lions' World Cup roster. England are currently without the injured Reece James, who may well have been selected ahead of White had he remained fit.
Tuchel's squad is further depleted without Marc Guéhi, who withdrew through injury and has been replaced by AFC Bournemouth defender James Hill.
Source: Sports
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