Ben White and Harvey Barnes join England’s squad after injuries to Eberechi Eze and Jarell Quansah
Ben White and Harvey Barnes have been called up to the England national football team squad for the upcoming international break following injury withdrawals.
The Three Lions are set to face Uruguay national football team and Japan national football team in friendly matches as preparations continue for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Head coach Thomas Tuchel is using the fixtures to assess his options ahead of naming his final tournament squad.
Tuchel had initially selected an expanded 35-man group, signaling his intention to evaluate as many players as possible. However, injuries to Eberechi Eze and Jarell Quansah forced late adjustments, paving the way for White and Barnes to be included.
An update ahead of #ThreeLions camp, as @harveybarnes97 and Ben White have been added to Thomas Tuchel’s squad.
— England (@England) March 23, 2026
White’s call-up marks his first return to the national setup since 2022, adding defensive depth to Tuchel’s options. Barnes, meanwhile, is hoping to build on his lone senior appearance, which came back in October 2020.
A statement from the Football Association confirmed the changes, noting that Barnes and White would replace the injured duo. The announcement also highlighted White’s four caps and Barnes’ limited but promising international experience.
The reshuffle comes amid a broader wave of withdrawals affecting Arsenal players during the international window. Gabriel Magalhães has pulled out of the Brazil national football team squad due to fitness concerns, while Leandro Trossard has also withdrawn from the Belgium national football team.
Barnes’ inclusion also ends speculation over his international future, with the winger previously linked to a potential switch to Scotland national football team. His selection suggests he has committed fully to England ahead of the World Cup.
