Ben White leaves England’s World Cup squad in Qatar and returns home for ‘personal reasons’

Ben White leaves England’s World Cup squad and returns home for ‘personal reasons’ after the Arsenal defender missed the group decider against Wales because of illness

Ben White has gone home from the World Cup due to personal reasons and is not expected to return to the England camp.

The 25-year-old defender was included in Gareth Southgate‘s 26-man squad for Qatar following an impressive start to the season with Arsenal.

White did not feature in England’s first two Group B matches and missed Tuesday’s 3-0 win against Wales through illness.

England defender Ben White has gone home from the World Cup due to ‘personal reasons’

A Football Association statement read: ‘Ben White has left England’s training base in Al Wakrah and returned home for personal reasons.

‘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.’

More to follow

White did not feature in the first two Group B matches and missed Tuesday's win against Wales

White did not feature in the first two Group B matches and missed Tuesday’s win against Wales

White's fiancee Milly Adams attended the game against the USA on Friday night

White’s fiancee Milly Adams attended the game against the USA on Friday night