On Tuesday, Gareth Southgate named Brighton centre-back White in his initial 33-man squad for this summer's European Championships.
With a number of England players set to feature for Chelsea and Manchester City in Saturday's Champions League Final, as well as more Three Lions stars playing for Manchester United in their Europa League Final defeat on Wednesday, Southgate has himself more time to decide before UEFA's June 1 deadline.
UEFA has expanded the usual 23-man squad limit to 26 for the Euros given the impact the pandemic has had this season, and could still have on this summer's tournament.
But White's presence on Southgate's longlist was still something of a surprise given that it is his first senior call-up.
White was also shocked by the announement, telling Sky Sports of the emotional moment when he and his family received the good news.
"Got a phone call, got told the news, I was out for dinner, I didn't really believe it!
"Obviously speaking to Dan, he told me all the news, when I was going, it was obviously unbelievable.
"I put the phone down, rang my mum straight away, sat down there, cried, mum was crying, mum, my dad, had all my sisters there and, yeah, I just sat and cried for about an hour.
I coudn't really believe it and I don't think it's settled in yet.
"I didnt really think that I would be called, I thought it was a bit too late because I've heard you get called way before it and you know, but I obviously didn't and when that call did come I was over the moon with it and shocked really.
"No pressure, I've got to go what I've gotta do, do my best and if I get game time, I've gotta produce my quality and show what I've got."
Southgate said of White and Everton defender Ben Godfrey, who also earned his first senior call-up: "They are both exciting young defenders, there are others we have been looking at that we really like.
"These two are flexible, they play in different roles, this is a great opportunity to get to them a bit better for them to work with the team.
"There is no way of knowing how long they will be with us at this stage but it should be a fantastic experience for them."
