I have barely any World Cup memories and the Colombia shootout wasn’t even on in my house, says England star Ben White
GARETH SOUTHGATE and his squad are hoping to give England some terrific World Cup memories — although Ben White has barely any of his own.
Arsenal defender White comes from a family who have never been interested in football and, even now, rarely watch games at home.
The incredibly relaxed centre-back, who spent Saturday morning sunbathing, revealed he only started thinking about Qatar once selected last week.
White’s honest confession is very different from other players such as James Maddison, who revealed his strong emotions after being called up by Southgate for the finals.
Asked about his World Cup memories, White said: “There are not many that stick out.
“Obviously the disappointments and I remember Eric Dier’s penalty against Colombia and the feeling. But the game wouldn’t have been on in the house.
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“I didn’t grow up watching football in my house as it wasn’t on. It’s never been in my life or my mum and dad’s.
“I always get asked what I do after football — I don’t really do much but I am always busy.
“Sitting down and watching a 90-minute game is the last thing I want to do after I’ve trained all day and had four or five meetings about football as well.”
As for his World Cup dreams over the next month or so, he said: “No, I don’t really look too far ahead. I feel like I’m a day-to day-person.
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“I wake up in the morning, look after that day and try to have the best ever and don’t think too far ahead.
“I’m not someone that has anything planned in normal life. If I want to go somewhere for dinner on that day, I’ll be going there. I didn’t think about the World Cup at all until it was close.
“I think if you’re so concerned about something, it normally doesn’t happen if you’re too worried, things will be what they will be and you deal with it when it comes.
“I’m not going into a game thinking I’m going to be the best right-back or centre-back in the world. I’m realistic, I want to play like everyone else and if I do get a chance to play, I’ll give it my best.”
White, from the Dorset town of Ferndown, is likely to be on the bench for Sunday’s opener with Iran.
When he broke news of his World Cup selection to his father Barry, White hardly received an explosive response.
The former Brighton star said: “My old man is so very laid-back it is ridiculous. When I got called up for the squad he was like, ‘Well done’.
“It was just like he knew it was going to happen and wasn’t a surprise for him. My mum is the opposite so I think I have got the balance between them.”
As for the last few days, he has spent time by the pool.
He said: “I sunbathed this morning. There is not loads to do.
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“You put your feet up after big training sessions and do recovery stuff, so there’s not much free time. Early to bed and watch a movie.
“It is very nice around the pool, very relaxing.”