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Thomas Tuchel made his thoughts clear after Ben White was booed by fans on his England return
Ben White of England during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England.
Ben White was booed by his own fans upon his return for England(Image: Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about why Ben White was booed by the England fans against Uruguay
International return:Ben White ended his three-year international exile last Friday when he was called up by Thomas Tuchel as a replacement for the injured Jarell Quansah. His return to the England squad was met with shock and even criticism, as many fans had not forgotten the circumstances of his departure during the World Cup 2022.
Chaotic game against Uruguay: During England's 1-1 draw with Uruguay, White experienced incredible drama in a single substitute appearance by scoring his first international goal to put England ahead. However, the high was short-lived as he later conceded a stoppage-time penalty that allowed Federico Valverde to equalise, ending the night on a bittersweet note.
Wembley booing: Despite his goal, White was clearly booed by sections of the home support, both when he entered the pitch and when his name was announced over the PA system. This reaction highlighted a lingering resentment among some of the fanbase regarding his perceived lack of commitment to the national team over the previous few years.
The rift with Steve Holland: The feud that originally sparked his sudden England camp exit stemmed from an alleged Qatar World Cup bust-up where former England assistant coach Steve Holland reportedly questioned White’s interest in football in front of the squad. Holland allegedly made a 'barbed comment' comparing White's tactical knowledge unfavourably to Kyle Walker’s, which led to White leaving the camp for 'personal reasons' shortly after.
Refusing the call for Euro 2024: Public criticism of the right-back intensified in 2024 when Gareth Southgate revealed that White had requested not to be considered for national team selection, effectively ruling himself out of Euro 2024. Southgate noted that White would have been in the squad based on merit, but the defender chose to remain at home despite his form for Arsenal.
Media backlash: There's been widespread criticism of White, with some labelling his refusal to play for his country as "arrogant" or "disgraceful." Figures like Adrian Durham expressed anger over his return, arguing that he should not be allowed to pick and choose when he represents England.
Thomas Tuchel’s response: Following the recent draw, Tuchel expressed his disappointment at the crowd's reaction, stating that while he didn't hear the boos personally due to his focus on the game, he was saddened by the lack of protection for his player. He emphasised that White had been "excellent in camp" and deserved a second chance to write a new chapter with the team.
The "take it on the chin" advice: Tuchel further commented that while the reception was mixed, it was something White would have to "take on the chin" to move forward. The manager insisted that the coaching staff would continue to support him and hoped the public would eventually accept his return so the team could focus on the upcoming World Cup.
Looking ahead to the Japan fixture: White is now expected to feature in England’s next friendly against Japan, where he will likely compete for a starting spot to further prove his reliability. With several regular right-backs unavailable, this match serves as a crucial final audition for White to secure his place in Tuchel’s final tournament squad.
England's 2026 World Cup kits
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