Ben White has been handed a shock England recall after over three years out of the squad as Thomas Tuchel was called into making two changes due to his March internationals roster.

The Arsenal defender has not featured in a Three Lions camp since leaving the squad under dramatic circumstances during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with White subsequently asking not to be considered for selection by then-manager Gareth Southgate.

The rift stemmed from a reported falling out with former England assistant Steve Holland, who allegedly claimed that White was not sufficiently interested in football.

White has since been on a self-imposed England exile, one that was not resolved during the interim reign of Lee Carsley following Southgate’s departure in the summer of 2024, but has now been lured back into the fold by Tuchel.

He replaces Jarell Quansah in the squad for March’s internationals against Uruguay on 27 March and Japan on 31 March, with the Bayer Leverkusen defender dealing with a thigh injury, while Gunners teammate Eberechi Eze has also been ruled out due to a calf problem.

Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes has been chosen to fill the void left by Eze, whose only appearance for the senior team came in October 2020.

Tuchel had spoken positively about a return for White, saying in August of last year that he was “delighted” to see him back in training after recurring knee problems.

“We were monitoring the process and huge compliments to the medical and performance department of the FA. And thanks to everyone at Arsenal to let us monitor closely so we are on it, speaking to Ben that we are delighted that he is back on the bench,” Tuchel said. “He wants to be back, he’s glad to be back.”

White only has four England caps to his name and has not played for the Three Lions since a 3-0 friendly win against the Ivory Coast in March 2022.

He did not feature at the Qatar World Cup that year and ruled himself out of contention for Euro 2024.

But speaking on his selection for the March internationals, Tuchel insisted a player’s absence from a previous tournament will not be a factor in deciding who goes to this summer’s World Cup.

“No, it’s not interesting to me if someone was at a tournament, or is now at their first tournament,” Tuchel said.

“It’s interesting how we’re trying to build the group, and I want to arrive with a strong group, and I want to be absolutely certain that we have a group that can enjoy weeks and weeks and weeks together. That we have the energy right, and we have the chemistry right.”

White has made just seven Premier League appearances this season for leaders Arsenal but has played in eight of their 10 Champions League games, with the club staring down the barrel of a quarter-final tie against Sporting CP.

He started Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, which saw Arsenal lose 2-0 as their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple went up in smoke.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba played a pivotal role in the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning run during the 2025 season, and on Monday, he got paid for his efforts.

Smith-Njigba and the Seahawks agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million contract extension with $120 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports. He will now become the highest-paid receiver in NFL history with a $42.15 million annual average value of the contract.

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Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs the ball during the third quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on Feb. 8, 2026. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)

The Seahawks selected Smith-Njigba in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. He didn’t turn into a full-time starting receiver until the 2024 season, which he earned his first Pro Bowl selection.

Smith-Njigba’s value to the team grew exponentially in 2025. He had 119 catches for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns with Sam Darnold slinging him the pill. The receiving yardage total led the NFL.

TOM BRADY GIVES PRAISE TO LOGAN PAUL AFTER FLAG FOOTBALL GAME

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) looks on during the Super Bowl LX parade on Feb. 11, 2026. (Kevin Ng/Imagn Images)

The 2025 season was the first year he was able to compete in the playoffs. In three games, he had 17 catches for 199 yards and two touchdowns. He had four catches for 27 yards in Super Bowl LV against the New England Patriots, but he didn’t really need to do much for the team to win.

Smith-Njigba will enter his fourth NFL season with a different offensive coordinator but a similar roster on offense.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in overtime at Lumen Field on Dec. 18, 2025. (Kevin Ng/Imagn Images)

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Though Klint Kubiak took the Las Vegas Raiders’ head-coaching job, the team brought back Rashid Shaheed, Josh Jones and Charles Cross.

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The EFL Cup final sets the stage for a blockbuster showdown at Wembley Stadium, where Arsenal and Manchester City will battle for silverware. By the end of the night, the famous trophy will be adorned in either red and white or sky blue as one side makes the iconic walk up the Wembley steps.

For Arsenal, this final represents a chance to end a decades-long drought in the competition, having last lifted the trophy back in 1993. Under Mikel Arteta, the Gunners have been in exceptional form and could turn their season into a trophy-winning campaign with victory here.

Manchester City, meanwhile, arrive with their own motivations. Pep Guardiola’s side are aiming to secure their first major honour since their Champions League triumph in 2022–23, despite a season that has seen inconsistency and European disappointment.

With both teams occupying the top two spots in the Premier League, this final promises to be a high-quality, fiercely contested encounter between two of England’s best sides, each eager to make a statement on one of football’s biggest domestic stages.

Arsenal team news

Mikel Arteta remained characteristically tight-lipped when addressing team news ahead of the EFL Cup final, offering little clarity on the fitness of Jurrien Timber (ankle) and captain Martin Odegaard (knee), suggesting a late decision will be made.

There is, however, a confirmed absence, as Mikel Merino has been ruled out due to injury. On a more positive note, Eberechi Eze is expected to be available despite a minor scare in the previous match against Bayer Leverkusen, which he quickly brushed off.

Manchester City team news

On the other hand, Guardiola happily confirmed who would be given the gloves for Man City in his pre-game press conference; James Trafford will replace Gianluigi Donnarumma for the final.

Only Josko Gvardiol (calf) is out injured for the eight-time winners, but Guardiola will controversially have to make do without January signing Marc Guehi, ineligible for the showdown with Arsenal.

The former Crystal Palace man was only a substitute in the second-leg loss to Real Madrid anyway, but Guardiola could still opt for a defensive alteration, with John Stones stepping in for Abdukodir Khusanov.

Bernardo Silva’s sending-off in midweek – the first of his career in the Champions League – means nothing for Wembley, where Erling Haaland will aim to score under the famous arch for the first time on the seventh attempt.

Arsenal vs Manchester City EFL Cup final probable starting eleven:

Arsenal starting 11: Kepa; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres

Manchester City starting 11: Trafford; Nunes, Dias, Stones, Ait-Nouri; Silva, Rodri, O’Reilly; Cherki, Haaland, Semenyo

EFL Cup final: Arsenal vs Manchester City  Live Telecast and Streaming Details

When will the EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City be played?

The EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City will be played on March 22.

What time will the EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City begin on March 22?

The EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City will start at 10 PM IST.

What will be the venue for the EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City?

Wembley Stadium will host the EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City.

Where will the live telecast of the EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City be available in India?

The live telecast of the EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City will not be available in India.

Where will the live streaming of the EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City be available in India?

The live streaming of the EFL Cup final match between Arsenal and Manchester City will be available on the FanCode app and website in India.

Manchester United were left frustrated after not being awarded a second penalty during their 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Friday night

Amad’s face told the whole story on Friday night as Manchester United conceded immediately after a big penalty appeal was waved away by referee Stuart Attwell during the game with Bournemouth. The winger was seeminglt pulled to the ground by defender Adrien Truffert shortly before Ryan Christie equalised for the Cherries.

VAR official Craig Pawson checked the challenge on the Ivorian but decided Attwell could stick with his on-field decision. “The referee’s call of no penalty for a challenge by Truffert was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed the contact was not sufficient for a foul,” the Premier League’s Match Centre posted afterwards.

The grievance might have ended there had it not been that 10 minutes later Harry Maguire was sent off and Bournemouth awarded a penalty for a similar challenge. On this occasion, the Premier League Match Centre explained: “The referee’s call of penalty and red card for Maguire for the denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity (DOGSO) was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed to be a holding offence with no attempt to challenge for the ball.”

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Anyone who watched the game would rightly be scratching their heads at that verdict. After the match, captain Bruno Fernandes called for consistency and felt both the Truffert and Maguire challenges were fouls.

Michael Carrick suggested it was too late for apologies – the match was over and the points had been dropped. And yet, the Reds have taken their complaints further and have contacted the PGMOL for an explanation.

This is where United are likely to lose the sympathy of one of their legends. Gary Neville was an ardent critic of this approach two years ago when Nottingham Forest sought a response from the referee’s governing body after Ivan Toney’s goal for Brentford.

He wrote on X at the time: “Clubs writing to the PGMOL is embarrassing. Liverpool and Arsenal started it and set the precedent of this nonsense.

“The refs should be doing better and are under enormous pressure at the moment. It’s in the clubs’ interests to work with them to make them improve. This public posturing is unnecessary.”

Little has changed in the Premier League since Neville’s comments. Officials remain under the same intense scrutiny and clubs are still seeking answers from the authorities when things go against them.

The trouble is that clubs and referees are sparring against each other instead of working collaboratively and that is why Neville will be against United’s course of action. In their most recent vote, Premier League clubs voted overwhelmingly to keep VAR despite fans being against the technology. United were one of the 19 clubs who voted to keep it in June 2024.

England’s 2026 World Cup kits

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England and Nike have launched the new home, away and goalkeeper kits to be worn at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. You can get free delivery on all orders with the code: ENGFREEDEL

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When a team lands a big fish like Kyler Murray, sometimes his old friends want to join. That’s the case for wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who publicly acknowledged over the weekend that he’d like to join the Minnesota Vikings.

Hopkins wants in, and the Vikings have room for a proven veteran.

Hopkins is a free agent, and Minnesota may need a WR3. The connection makes sense.

The Vikings Make Sense for DeAndre Hopkins

Would you mind Hopkins as the third wide receiver in 2026?

Hopkins: I’m Here if Murray, Vikings Need Me

There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. Hopkins would play for the Vikings this season if called upon.

Asked by TMZ this week about the Vikings as a landing spot, he replied, “Kyler — that’s my boy, man. Kyler is like family. I talked to Kyler throughout the year last year. I talked to Kyler after, you know, his situation in Arizona. Kyler’s like family, man.”

“I would always, you know, embrace that journey with him. He’s on a one-year deal? Whatever I can do for what someone like that — if Kyler need me he know I’m there, if the Vikings need me they know I’ll be there.”

That doesn’t leave much to the imagination.

Hopkins’s Career Production

The Baltimore Ravens targeted Hopkins just 39 times in 2025 — or 14 fewer than Jalen Nailor in Minnesota, who filled the Vikings’ WR3 role last season. The year prior, in Kansas City and Tennessee, Hopkins posted WR3-adjacent numbers, perhaps suggesting he could return to that role in 2026 if fed targets from Kyler Murray.

These are his numbers since turning pro in 2015:

Would-Be WR Group

Let’s suppose that the Vikings hear Hopkins interest and oblige. Before adding any WRs in the draft next month — Minnesota has nine picks on the menu, up from five in 2025 — the wide receiving gang could look like this:

• Justin Jefferson
• Jordan Addison
• DeAndre Hopkins
• Tai Felton
• Myles Price
• Jeshaun Jones
• Dontae Fleming
• Joaquin Davis

It’s also worth noting that most of the other notable free-agent wide receivers have flown off the board to new teams, leaving Hopkins as a last man standing of sorts.

NBC Sports‘ Mike Florio on the prospect of Hopkins to Minnesota: “The more pressing question for Hopkins is whether the Vikings envision a spot for him in the lineup. The depth chart is led by Justin Jefferson, obviously. Jordan Addison is the No. 2, as he approaches the last year of his first-round rookie deal. (The question of whether they’ll exercise his fifth-year option may not be the no-brainer it once seemed to be).”

“Jalen Nailor, mainly a slot receiver, left in free agency. Hopkins has a specific and unique skill set. He displayed it during Saturday’s flag football event, boxing out an overmatched Team USA defender to make a one-handed catch of the undersized ball. Hopkins could be a potent weapon in the red zone, giving Murray an option for jump balls in the back corner if/when the defense focuses on Jefferson.”

Other WR Options from Free Agency + Draft

Speaking of free agency, these are the remaining options for WR3 as of March 23rd, in addition to Hopkins:

• Curtis Samuel
• Deebo Samuel
• Jauan Jennings
• JuJu Smith-Schuster
• Keenan Allen
• Noah Brown
• Stefon Diggs
• Tyreek Hill

Or — if the Vikings want a wideout in the first three rounds of the draft — again … after the Felton pick last year — these are the options, listed in Consensus Big Board order:

• Carnell Tate (Ohio State)
• Makai Lemon (USC)
• Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State)
• Omar Cooper Jr. (Indiana)
• Denzel Boston (Washington)
• Kevin Concepcion (Texas A&M)
• Chris Brazzell (Tennessee)
• Chris Bell (Louisville)
• Germie Bernard (Alabama)
• Zachariah Branch (Georgia)
• Malachi Fields (Notre Dame)
• Antonio Williams (Clemson)
• Elijah Sarratt (Indiana)
• Skyler Bell (UConn)
• Ted Hurst (Georgia State)
• Bryce Lance (North Dakota State)
• Deion Burks (Oklahoma)
• Ja’Kobi Lane (USC)

Too, Minnesota could have strategically planned for a Felton redshirt year in 2025, meaning there’s a small chance that he’s tapped on the shoulder for WR3 duty and that Hopkins isn’t needed.

Hopkins will turn 34 this summer and has a borderline Hall of Fame resume.

Landon Donovan may be one of the most recognizable American men’s soccer players of all time.

Donovan was a part of the 2002 World Cup that made it to the quarterfinals and helped them get out of the group stage in 2010 following a disappointing outing in 2006. He scored one of the most memorable goals in 2010 when he scored in extra time to put the U.S. over Algeria and advance to the knockout stage.

With the highs that carried Donovan to newfound fame, there were also tremendous lows.

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Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (26) in action against Orlando City FC during the second half  at StubHub Center on Sept. 11, 2016. (Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports)

Donovan details his bout with depression, reconfiguring what success meant to him and his incredible soccer career in his new book, “Landon: A Memoir,” which is set to be released Tuesday.

He opened up to Fox News Digital about his mental health struggles and what depression looked like for him.

“I had two different types of experiences with depression,” he said. “I realized through therapy and in retrospect that I’ve had an underlying depression, low-level depression my whole life that I deal with today. So, there are days where I wake up and and I just feel down and sad nad that is very manageable for me now. I’ve learned how to I’ve with that.

“But then I’ve also had three episodes in my life of very serious depressive episodes that have lasted weeks that have been really, really hard to get out of. So, what hat look liked for me – not being able to get off the couch, not wanting to eat and just feeling like there’s a massive blanket on top of you that you can’t get off and that’s a horrible feeling.”

The former American soccer star said he’s found ways to pull himself out of those moods, along with the help of therapy.

WORLD CUP TEAMS FINALIZE US BASE CAMPS AS HOST CITIES PREPARE FOR GLOBAL CROWDS

USA forward Landon Donovan (10) reacts after nearly scoring a goal against Antigua & Barbuda during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on June 8, 2012. (Matt Stamey/USA TODAY Sports)

“I say the three Ms for me,” he explained. “Medication has helped a lot it my life. Meditation helps a lot. And then, in some cases, my mom. Just my mom being there next to me has helped me. And so, I’ am at a point now where, knock on wood, it’s bee a long, long time since I’ve had a major depressive episode. But medication and meditation keep my calm and exercise really – these are the three things now that really keep me sane.”

Donovan mentioned that he really began to struggle after the 2006 World Cup and failed to score or provide assists for the team. He took the brunt of the criticism from the media at the time. He was also left off the 2008 Olympics roster, though the team featured a U23 roster.

The silver lining to that is no one was going to Donovan’s MySpace page to unload furious comments or even death threats similar to what professional athletes hear now.

In that way, Donovan told Fox News Digital he feels “very fortunate.”

“We see so many people who are in the public eye who have to deal with social media hatred, criticism, critiquing all the time. And this would have all been exacerbated for me had that all been around,” he said. “I feel very, very fortunate for a number of reasons that social media didn’t exist at that time, but it is a very real thing.

“People assume that because we’re in the public eye and we make money and we have fame and our lives should be easy. And by the way, compared to the person who’s struggling to put food on the table, it is easy, so I’m not minimizing that. But it is difficult at times to deal with that. We are, as humans, social creatures. And we want to be liked, we all want to be liked, that’s normal. And to open your screen every day, your phone or your computer, and read people disparaging you, is really hard for humans. And sadly, we’ve seen it take many, many lives.”

Donovan retired from professional soccer as one of the greatest Major League Soccer players the league had ever seen. He helped the U.S. to four Gold Cup titles and the LA Galaxy to four MLS Cups.

Success in 2026 compared to 2006 looks a little different to Donovan right now.

LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida (4) and former player Landon Donovan embrace after defeating the New York Red Bulls in the 2024 MLS Cup at Dignity Health Sports Park on Dec. 7, 2024. (Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn Images)

“Success for me now is peace,” he told Fox News Digital. “I am at peace when I’m with my children. I’m at peace with my wife, when we get to travel, when I get to play golf. It’s sometimes crazy for me to think that a kid who grew up in a 900-square-foot home is flying to New York, staying in a Ritz Carlton overlooking Central Park and to think back at like, how did all this happen? But it wasn’t always easy along the way. And so, for me today, peace is all about doing the things that that I love.

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“Sadly, my dad is a big part of the book. He’s a big character throughout the book and he wasn’t around growing up. I was able to reconcile with him at 25 years old, so almost 20 years ago. He passed away in December, and it was very eye-opening for me to be next to someone as they’re dying. You start to realize that when I am there one day, what is really, really, gonna matter to me? So, when I think about it that way, and try to think about that every day, what today is really gonna matter. Most things aren’t gonna matter. And so, the things that bring me peace are the things I’m gonna put my energy and effort into.”

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Terence Crawford may have retired back in December but that hasn’t stopped a reigning world champion from challenging him to a fight.

Crawford competed for the last time back in September when he successfully stepped up to 168lbs and defeated Canelo Alvarez to become undisputed super-middleweight world champion.

The American hung up the gloves three months later, ending an illustrious career that saw ‘Bud’ also hold world titles at lightweight and super-welterweight, along with undisputed reigns at super-lightweight and welterweight.

It it a titleholder at 147lbs who now wants to take on Crawford, after WBC champion Ryan Garcia revealed his intentions on social media.

“If Bud is listening, I would love to fight you. I feel like I would literally beat the sh*t out of you. You’re a good fighter but I don’t think you’ve ever fought somebody with talent and explosiveness and power.

“Have you fought anybody with one punch knockout power? No. I feel Bud Crawford is overrated. I’ll beat the sh*t out of him. I feel like that in my heart. I would actually fight him, if he doesn’t want it that’s not my fault.

“He’s not a draw, he doesn’t bring anything to the table, he’s boring as f*ck, but I would probably give him the biggest payday of his life if he takes the fight.”

Garcia won the WBC welterweight title in February with a dominant victory over Mario Barrios, securing ‘King Ry’ world honours for the first time.

He famously defeated Devin Haney in 2024 before the result was changed to a no contest due to a failed drugs test, and while a clash against Crawford could be unlikely, a rematch between Haney and Garcia has been touted to potentially take place later this year.

It is a surprise to nobody who has watched college basketball over the last half-decade that Houston has looked like one of the most dominant teams in the country during the first weekend of the tournament. The Cougars have not lost a game in the first weekend of the tournament since 2018, and have an average margin of victory of over 20 points a game during the first weekend.

Kelvin Sampson deserves all the credit in the world for reviatilizing a dormant Houston program; however, more than just reviving a sleeping giant, he has an innate ability to get his guys to buy in. It can be easy for a heavy favorite to sleepwalk early in the tournament, just ask Jon Scheyer how he felt Duke’s energy looked in their first two games this weekend.

Houston can suffocate opponents with its defense. Many teams can lose focus on defense, but Sampson has his guys locked in from tip to buzzer. They hound ball handlers with relentless pressure. Unlike other teams that specialize in their elite defenses, Houston can turn their stops into points on the other end.

The Cougars are once again great at generating “Kill Shots”. A Kill Shot is a 10-0 that happens in a game. Houston was second in the country entering the tournament in kill shots with 38 on the season, while allowing only 11, good for fifth in the country. With that being said, the level of competition increases going into the Sweet 16, and they’ll be facing Illinois, a team that is third best in the country in adjusted Kill Shot margin.

Illinois is a bit underseeded as a three seed and will be the toughest matchup for any two seed entering the second weekend. The Illini have the second-best offensive rating in the country and can attack Houston’s interior with a ton of lengthy big men who can cause issues for Houston’s front court, which has dealt with foul issues. Illinois can also punish them at the line if they’re too aggressive, as they shoot 78.4% as a team, good for 13th in the country.

Houston has struggled at times this year to find consistent offense and can deal with scoring droughts. That cannot happen against Illinois, as they will bury Houston if they go multiple minutes without scoring.

It’ll be a tough matchup for Houston, but they’ll essentially be playing a road game, as the game will be at the Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets. Illinois has also struggled when they’re matched up with tough defenses. They are 2-4 this season against teams with a top-25 defensive rating, scoring only 74 points per game, 10 fewer than their season average.

Houston opens this game as 2.5-point favorites, and it doesn’t make a ton of sense. Neither team likes to speed the game up, and if Illinois can deal with Houston’s elite ball pressure, they could be in line to pull off the minor upset. 

I really like Balkan Bloc on the road in the Sweet 16.