Ben White defended by Tuchel and England team-mates after ‘disappointing’ Wembley boos - latest | OneFootball

Ben White (Getty Images)

England were held to a 1-1 draw with Uruguay in an international friendly during one of their final matches before the World Cup begins this summer.

It was an encounter without rhythm and verve as England failed to click in the first half. Noni Madueke was subbed off with an unknown injury and Phil Foden avoided a season-ending knock after a collision with Ronald Araujo.

Ben White, recalled for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, was met with boos from some of the England fans upon his introduction but they quickly turned to cheers as he opened the scoring by poking home from Cole Palmer’s corner kick. However, he was a fault for giving a stoppage time penalty late in the match and Federico Valverde converted from the spot to end the game in a draw.

Harry Maguire labelled the decision to award the penalty ‘soft’ and ‘ridiculous’ in his post match interview and ITV pundits Ian Wright and Emma Hayes were left baffled by some of the decision-making.

England’s fringe players flopped on audition night. Now ruthless Thomas Tuchel will wield his World Cup axe

This was the night when the final places on the plane were up for grabs - but there were more questions than answers at the end of an insipid 1-1 draw

England’s fringe cast flop on audition night. Now Thomas Tuchel will wield the axe

This was the night when the final places on the plane were up for grabs, writes Lawrence Ostlere. But there were more questions than answers at the end of an insipid 1-1 draw

Lawrence Ostlere 28 March 2026 14:48

Thomas Tuchel disappointed over Wembley booing for Ben White

“I heard that he was booed. I didn’t hear it actually on the field because I was involved in the changes and instructions, so I didn’t hear it so I think then it cannot be the majority.

“There were some boos and some mixed reception for him, which I am disappointed about because of course we protect our players and he was excellent in camp and he deserved to come on.

“He deserved also to start and got us almost the winner, but I also understood that it happened to other players before here (at Wembley).

“He needs to take it on the chin. We will always protect him and hopefully we can put it behind (us) because he is ready to write some new chapters and we are ready to give him the chance, so hopefully everyone can move on and accept it.”

The England manager says White will have to deal with the jeering (Bradley Collyer/PA) (PA Wire)

Jordan Henderson criticises England fans who ‘don’t even know why they are booing’ Ben White

England midfielder Jordan Henderson has vowed to support Ben White after the Arsenal defender was booed by fans during the friendly draw with Uruguay.

White had the rare ignominy of being booed by the Wembley crowd after putting England 1-0 up. The 28-year-old was making his first England appearance since he walked out of the 2022 World Cup squad due to “personal reasons” and then made himself unavailable for selection for the remainder of Sir Gareth Southgate’s reign.

Henderson knows how it feels to receive the ire of the Wembley crowd, after he was booed following his ill-fated move to Saudi Arabia. And the midfielder said: “I have been through it myself, but that is part and parcel of being an England player.

“Some of the fans probably don’t even know why they are booing, they listen to what is being said in the media, and a lot of the time what the media says isn’t true.”

Henderson criticises England fans who ‘don’t even know why they are booing’ Ben White

White was jeered by the Wembley crowd after putting England 1-0 up against Uruguay, having walked out of the England squad for personal reasons during the 2022 World Cup

Jonathan Veal28 March 2026 13:48

Thomas Tuchel’s England experiment yields few answers after disconnected performance at Wembley

By the time the World Cup really gets going, and Thomas Tuchel’s senior players maybe have that extra bit of energy from this week off, England might well feel the benefit of this game.

It’s hard to make a substantial list of who else did, though.

Even Ben White, who marked his return with a poached goal, gave away the penalty from which Uruguay's Federico Valverde equalised for a 1-1 draw.

Miguel Delaney28 March 2026 08:00

England’s World Cup 2026 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s almost there and who has work to do?

Outside bets

James Trafford: Included in England’s March squad, but the goalkeeper’s lack of game time for Manchester City this season may see him miss out on the World Cup.

Myles Lewis-Skelly: Tuchel loves the Arsenal full-back, but he has barely featured for the Gunners this season, with Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie both preferred by Mikel Arteta – which cost him his place in November’s squad.

Trevoh Chalobah: A badly timed injury playing in the Champions League for Chelsea may scupper Chalobah’s hopes of making the World Cup.

Fikayo Tomori: The AC Milan defender is back in the squad for March, but faces stiff competition for a centre-back place.

Luke Shaw: Didn’t make the March squad, with Hall and O’Reilly preferred as left-back options.

Trent Alexander-Arnold: Tuchel has been frank about his preference for James and Livramento in the pecking order at right-back, hinting at concerns about Alexander-Arnold’s defensive concentration. Time seems to have run out for the Real Madrid defender to win back his place.

Morgan Gibbs-White: Another player given minutes by Tuchel but who is set to be edged out by the sheer number of options in central roles.

James Garner: In the squad for this month’s internationals, but the Everton midfielder is unlikely to make the final 26 unless injuries strike.

Ollie Watkins: A sluggish start to the Premier League season saw Watkins left out of the squad for November’s internationals. The Aston Villa striker was decisive at Euro 2024, but has he now lost his place as Kane’s deputy?

Lawrence Ostlere28 March 2026 06:00

England’s World Cup 2026 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s almost there and who has work to do?

Work to do

Ben White: Back in the fold for the first time since leaving the World Cup in Qatar, Tuchel is now seriously considering White as a right-back option.

Harry Maguire: Back in the squad this month after strong form for Manchester United, but faces a fight with Burn for what will likely be the fourth and final centre-back berth in North America.

Djed Spence: Much like Livramento, Tuchel likes that Spence has experience playing both full-back roles for his club, Tottenham. But it may be that only one of the two full-backs goes to the World Cup, and Livramento has enjoyed a better season with his club.

Jarell Quansah: The Leverkusen defender made his long-awaited debut in November’s World Cup qualifiers and could take one of the fringe spots in the squad.

Kobbie Mainoo: Back in the squad after strong performances for a rejuvenated Manchester United under Michael Carrick.

Eberechi Eze: Tuchel has spoken in glowing terms about Eze as a player who offers something different, creatively, from players like Bellingham and Rogers. His ability to play wide and as a No 10 will be a useful asset in the squad, although he still faces huge competition for a spot.

Phil Foden: Foden is another in the Palmer bracket where it seems bizarre that he wouldn’t be at a major tournament for England, and yet the City midfielder has barely featured under Tuchel so far and has lost his place in Pep Guardiola’s team. He did well in the November internationals, though, where Tuchel tried him as a false nine.

Jarrod Bowen: The West Ham captain seems to be third choice on the right wing behind Saka and Madueke, but his league form is excellent and he has a chance of squeezing onto the plane. Bowen’s ability to play as No 9 could also play in his favour, if Tuchel decides not to take a back-up striker.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin: An impressive goalscoring campaign for Leeds has seen Calvert-Lewin push himself into the reckoning. He may be the most likely option to travel as Kane’s deputy.

Dominic Solanke: Is in the squad for March, but the Tottenham striker needs a strong finish to the season to be England’s back-up No 9.

Lawrence Ostlere28 March 2026 05:00

England’s World Cup 2026 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s almost there and who has work to do?

Almost there

Aaron Ramsdale: Looks to have regained his place as England’s third-choice goalkeeper, but needs to maintain club form for Newcastle to secure his spot.

Reece James: Tuchel adores the Chelsea captain and there is no doubt James will be at the World Cup if he is fit, most likely as the starting right-back. But his fitness in itself is such an uncertainty that he doesn’t make our on-the-plane list, yet.

Tino Livramento: The Newcastle full-back is liked by Tuchel and his ability to play both sides adds to his appeal.

Dan Burn: Burn is a popular and well-respected squad player who adds something different with his towering physical presence. He is currently Tuchel’s fourth choice at centre-back behind Stones, Guehi and Konsa, but faces competition from Harry Maguire.

Nico O’Reilly: The Manchester City left-back was excellent in November’s World Cup qualifiers after impressing under Pep Guardiola this season, and his two-goal show in the Carabao Cup final will only help his chances of making the final squad.

Lewis Hall: The defender has been outstanding for Newcastle this season and is well-placed to make the World Cup squad.

Jordan Henderson: Henderson has been a regular inclusion by Tuchel during qualifying and it is likely he will be in the squad as the back-up to Anderson in the No 6 role, if he can maintain good form for Brentford this season.

Adam Wharton: The Crystal Palace midfielder was something of a surprise inclusion by Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024 but has since established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, with the ability to play as a deep-lying playmaker as well as in a box-to-box role. He played in November’s match against Albania as the No 6.

Morgan Rogers: Tuchel has turned to Rogers in Bellingham’s absence during qualifying, and the Villa midfielder looks poised to earn a place in the squad as an option at No 10.

Cole Palmer: It seems incredible not to list Palmer on the plane, but the sheer intensity of competition for places in the No 10 slot makes his position uncertain. Bellingham, Rogers, Foden and Eze can all play in that role, while Saka and Madueke appear likely to be first-choice options on the right flank. Palmer will most probably be at the World Cup, but Tuchel has made no guarantees and has raised concerns about his groin injury.

Noni Madueke: Madueke is Saka’s deputy at Arsenal and should fill the same role for England, having performed well in September’s thrashing of Serbia.

Marcus Rashford: Goals and assists for Barcelona have pushed Rashford’s cause and Tuchel likes him, although the manager has also had cautionary words about wasting his talent. Rashford’s versatility, able to cover both wing and striker should Kane need it, helps his selection cause.

Lawrence Ostlere28 March 2026 04:00

England’s World Cup 2026 squad: Who’s on the plane, who’s almost there and who has work to do?

On the plane

Jordan Pickford: The Everton keeper was Gareth Southgate’s No 1 and has maintained top spot under Thomas Tuchel, with an impressive season for his club.

Dean Henderson: The Crystal Palace goalkeeper is set to be Pickford’s back-up.

John Stones: The Manchester City defender has endured a difficult season with injury but, if he is fit, the experienced centre-back will play a role at the World Cup.

Marc Guehi: Stones’ fellow City defender is perhaps the most certain defender to start England’s first World Cup game.

Ezri Konsa: The Aston Villa centre-back has cemented his place as one of Tuchel’s most reliable options, having played more minutes under the German manager than any other defender.

Elliot Anderson: Tuchel has made clear that Anderson is the leading candidate to play in England’s holding role position.

Declan Rice: Part of Tuchel’s leadership group and will be essential to any success at the World Cup in England’s box-to-box No 8 position.

Jude Bellingham: The Real Madrid man has won back his place in the England squad, although there remains tension with the manager. Yet England need their best players firing to have any chance of winning the World Cup, and Bellingham is undoubtedly one of them.

Bukayo Saka: The 24-year-old Arsenal winger is under a little bit of pressure to refind his best form for Arsenal, but will certainly be in the squad and is the most likely starter on England’s right wing this summer.

Anthony Gordon: The Newcastle winger is in pole position to start on the left wing, and has regularly featured there for Tuchel so far. He missed November’s internationals with injury.

Harry Kane: It is easy to forget that plenty of pundits and fans wanted Kane dropped for the Euro 2024 final. He has been phenomenal ever since, and the big question now about England’s captain is whether he can translate his sensational club form at Bayern Munich into dominating a major international tournament.

Lawrence Ostlere28 March 2026 03:00