Prior to the international break, Ben White turned down a call-up from Gareth Southgate, a move that former England goalkeeper Ben Foster has backed.
The Arsenal player was first included in the manager’s World Cup team for Qatar later that year, but he last played for England in March 2022.
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The 26-year-old then quit the camp halfway through the season citing “personal reasons.” Last week, Southgate categorically refuted rumors that White had gotten into a fight with assistant coach Steve Holland.
However, the England head coach also disclosed that, at the player’s request, he had received a call from Arsenal director Edu specifically requesting that he not include White in his preparations for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium. This information was disclosed during his squad announcement.
Though reactions to White’s exclusion from the national team have been divided, the former Wrexham shot-stopper offered an understanding perspective on why White would have chosen to – at least temporarily – end his international career.
Foster stated on his podcast, The Fozcast, that it’s difficult to pin down exactly what Ben White is like as a character. There have been numerous rumors circulating in the past regarding his dislike of football outside of it.
“It goes without saying that he trains extremely well for his day job at Arsenal.” See him on a Saturday afternoon; thus far this season, he has proven to be one of the Premier League’s best right-backs.
‘It’s a two-week period where he can have a real rest, a real shutdown, escape from it all, not have to worry about football and when you’re somebody that doesn’t particularly love all of that stuff, all the trappings that come with being a footballer, that is a real great chance.’
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