Ben White

White established himself at Arsenal after joining from Brighton in 2021, developing into one of the Premier League's more technically assured defenders. Mikel Arteta has used him extensively as an inverted right-back, a role that requires composure in possession and an ability to operate in tight spaces, skills that translate well to international football's more open structures. He had previously stepped away from the England squad under Southgate following reported friction with the coaching staff.

Ben White delivered a dramatic mixed cameo in England's March 2026 friendly comeback victory over Uruguay, scoring from close range to contribute to the turnaround before also conceding a penalty. The performance encapsulated the complex position White occupies in Tuchel's plans: considered a versatile option across the back line but not an automatic starter.

White's selection and performance during the March window suggests Tuchel views him as a genuine option at right-back following the Alexander-Arnold omission. Whether he can provide adequate cover for that position at a World Cup finals will be one of the key debates among England supporters ahead of the summer.