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Ben White's selection for England's friendly matches this month has come as a major surprise. It was confirmed on Monday morning that England boss Thomas Tuchel has included the Arsenal defender in his 35-man squad to face Uruguay and Japan ahead of this summer's World Cup.

White was originally omitted but received a call-up after Jarell Quansah withdrew from the squad through injury. It represents the first time in more than three years that the 28-year-old will link up with his Three Lions colleagues.

He has not featured for England since 2022, having departed camp during the World Cup in Qatar following a disagreement with then-boss Gareth Southgate's assistant coach, Steve Holland. White is understood to have declined to represent the Three Lions while Southgate remained in charge and even notified him that he was making himself unavailable ahead of Euro 2024.

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However, Tuchel has now resurrected White's international career, with the defender once again in the running for a place at the upcoming World Cup. Here, football.london examines White's turbulent England journey, from the elation of his initial selection to the disappointment of his Qatar fallout and subsequent change of heart.

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Playing for his country clearly holds immense significance for White, who was moved to tears following a late call-up to the postponed Euro 2020 after Trent Alexander-Arnold sustained an injury. Reflecting on the moment his selection was confirmed, White told Sky Sports: "I got a phone call, got told the news. I was out for dinner, I didn't really believe it!

"Yeah, I just sat and cried for about an hour. I couldn't really believe it and I don't think it's settled in yet. I didn't really think that I would be called.

"I thought it was a bit too late because I've heard you get called way before it. But I obviously didn't and when that call did come I was over the moon with it and shocked."

White, who appeared in friendlies preceding the tournament, wasn't afforded the chance to feature during England's Euro 2020 campaign, which concluded in a final penalty shootout loss to Italy. His most recent international appearance came in March 2022 against Ivory Coast, marking his fourth cap across two years.

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore insisted the Arsenal defender should "never be called up again" following reports that he had informed Southgate of his desire not to be selected for Euro 2024. Speaking to Caught Offside ahead of Euro 2024, Collymore said: "The biggest talking point from Gareth Southgate's latest England squad is that Ben White refused to be called up.

"The defender, according to The Athletic, doesn't want to represent his country for several reasons, including finding it difficult being further down in Southgate's pecking order.

"Firstly, and assuming The Athletic's report is accurate, what a disgrace. If every player took that same stance, international football would be chaos and probably couldn't happen. Being called up to represent your county is an honour, you should want to do it regardless of whether you're the first name on the manager's teamsheet or the last."

Collymore added: "Even though I am incredibly disappointed a player has made this decision, I don't think it's a great loss to England. White is having a decent season for Arsenal but I don't think he's good enough anyway.

"Credit where it's due - he is certainly versatile - he can play at right back, centre-back and even drift into midfield, but there is no way he's going to get in ahead of Kyle Walker or John Stones, both of whom can also play those roles.

"So for me, thanks but no thanks, Mr White. We know you want to be a nailed-on starter but you can't always get exactly what you want, especially at international level and especially in tournament football.

"It's a squad game and if you're lucky enough to get a chance, it's on you to take it, but he's refused the opportunity. In my opinion, he should never be called up again - regardless of who is in charge."

After Southgate's departure following England's Euro 2024 final loss, the FA named England U21s manager Lee Carsley as interim head coach. This sparked speculation about White potentially receiving another call-up, although Carsley maintained nothing had formally altered.

Having omitted White from his squad for the Nations League fixtures against Ireland and Finland, Carsley said: "I've seen in some of the press reports that he was open to [returning] but it's gone no further. So, as far as I'm aware, he wasn't available for selection. Nothing's changed in my two weeks of being here."

Carsley did provide some encouragement to White, however, as he said: "Any player that's playing well in the Premier League, that's playing week in, week out, especially at the level that Arsenal play at, is obviously going to be under consideration. But he wasn't one based on what his wishes from the past [were]."

However, Tuchel's remarks following his own appointment in late 2024 suggested that the right-back remained part of his international plans, having said: "He [White] would love to be back in the squad. I just think it's a bit too early now given the seriousness of the injury that he had.

"We are honoured speaking to him, speaking to Ben, delighted that he's back on the bench. Now it's just a question of getting more minutes, more rhythm. He wants to be back."

White's recurring fitness problems throughout the previous two campaigns have prevented him from featuring regularly for Arsenal, resulting in him surrendering his starting berth to Jurrien Timber. However, his recent appearances, including the Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, suggest he is approaching complete fitness.