TalkSport pundit Adrian Durham has finally shed light on why Ben White walked out of England’s camp during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
‘He Got Really Upset’: Adrian Durham Unpacks Ben White’s World Cup Departure
According to Durham, the Arsenal defender refused to watch tactical video analysis of opponents, leading to a confrontation that prompted his sudden departure.
“This is what I’m led to understand has happened with Ben White,” Durham told Talk Sport.
“The players were told to watch videos of opponents and they were given videos on their laptops, iPads, whatever it was. He decided not to.”
Durham claims England analysts used tracking technology to monitor which players viewed the footage. When they discovered White had not watched, they challenged him over it.
“When asked about it, Ben White got really upset about it to the point where he quit England,” Durham added.
The lack of an official explanation has fuelled speculation for nearly three years. White faced boos from some fans during his recent return to international duty this month.
Former England manager Gareth Southgate tried to bring White back after the incident, but the defender declined at the time.
Now, White has agreed to work under new boss Thomas Tuchel and could feature in England’s plans for the next World Cup later this year.
White remains one of England’s most accomplished defenders. His priority now is securing his place in the squad as the team prepares for future competitions.
His recent return signals a willingness from both sides to move forward, though questions about the past have not entirely disappeared.
Durham’s account provides the most detailed version of events to date, though the situation has never been fully clarified publicly.
White now appears focused on contributing positively, with attention expected to shift toward his performances rather than past controversies.
