Arsenal Defender Ben White’s World Cup Is Over As He Leaves England Camp

Arsenal defender Ben White has left England’s World Cup squad due to personal reasons and is not expected to return.

A statement from the Football Association on Wednesday evening confirmed the 25-year-old had departed the camp in Qatar to return home, ahead of the last 16 clash with Senegal on Sunday.

“Ben White has left England’s training base in Al Wakrah and returned home for personal reasons,” the FA said.

“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.”

White as selected in Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad for the Qatar tournament after an impressive first half of the Premier League season.

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The defender was on the bench for opening group matches against Iran and the USA, but wasn’t in the squad for the most recent 3-0 win over Wales due to illness.

White has been a key figure for Arsenal this season, converting from a centre-back to a right-back, helping the Gunners top the Premier League table at Christmas.

For his country, White has four caps, with the Poole-born defender’s reputation only increasing since his £50million move to the Emirates from Brighton.

Arsenal tweeted the message ‘We’re all with you, Ben’ in response to the FA’s statement.