Ben White leaves England World Cup training base 'for personal reasons', is 'not expected' to return to Qatar

ByRob Hemingway

Updated 30/11/2022 at 19:13 GMT

Ben White has left England's World Cup training base in Al Wakrah "for personal reasons" and is "not expected" to return to Qatar, an FA statement has said. The statement requested that White's privacy be respected. Arsenal defender White, 25, has four caps for England but had not featured for the Three Lions in their three group games. It is not yet clear whether a replacement will be called up.

Ben White has left England's World Cup training base "for personal reasons" and is "not expected" to return to Qatar, an FA statement has said.

White, 25, was called up to the Three Lions squad for the tournament following strong form for Arsenal in the first portion of the season, but has not played a minute yet in the tournament.

The statement read: "Ben White has left England’s training base in Al Wakrah and returned home for personal reasons.

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"The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to the squad for the remainder of the tournament.

"We ask that the player’s privacy is respected at this moment in time."

With all squad changes needing to be made before the tournament's first match, England are unable to call up a replacement.

Ben White of England runs with the ball during a training session at Al Wakrah Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Image credit: Getty Images

They are however well-stocked in the defensive ranks, with Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kieran Trippier covering the right side, and Conor Coady, Eric Dier, Harry Maguire and John Stones the squad's centre-backs.

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England qualified for the last 16 on Tuesday by beating Wales 3-0, and will face Senegal on Sunday with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

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