Ben White stands by England absence decision but keeps details private

Ben White says he would make the same decision again over his previous withdrawal from England selection, while declining to disclose the circumstances behind it. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 live, the Arsenal defender said the public did not have the full account and that he did not intend to reveal details involving others.

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BBC Sport reported that White left England's 2022 World Cup camp in Qatar for personal reasons and subsequently remained unavailable for the rest of Gareth Southgate's tenure. Now 29, he acknowledged that the episode was not something he was happy about, but said he wanted to move forward.

White also reflected on the emotional swings of his return at Wembley in March, when he faced boos from some supporters, scored and then conceded a penalty. Thomas Tuchel has since called for supporters to welcome a fresh start for the defender.

England's official squad announcement confirms that this is White's first call-up since March. He missed the World Cup after suffering an injury with Arsenal late last season, according to the national team's account. His inclusion places him back in Tuchel's group for the final two Nations League group matches of the year, against Croatia and Spain.

The November squad also includes first senior selections for Borussia Dortmund's Jobe Bellingham and Fulham's Josh King, both stepping up from the under-21 group. England said King had already spent time with the senior players at their pre-World Cup training camp in Florida. Djed Spence and Declan Rice also return after missing the previous camp through injury.

England host Croatia at Wembley on November 12 before visiting Spain in Madrid on November 15. The national team's announcement says avoiding defeat against Croatia would secure a quarter-final place next March. England are second in their group. To finish first, they need to win both remaining matches and end with a better goal difference than Spain, according to the official squad announcement.