Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is proving his worth at the World Cup in North America after being named among Thomas Tuchel's "untouchables" in the England squad
John Cross
12:13, 09 Jun 2026
Jordan Henderson is heading to the World Cup
Jordan Henderson is heading to the World Cup(Image: Getty Images)
Jordan Henderson is firmly among Thomas Tuchel's "untouchables."
The former Liverpool midfielder is already demonstrating that his place in the squad is far more than that of a well-traveled figurehead. Henderson celebrates his 36th birthday on June 17, the same day as England's game against Croatia. This makes him comfortably the eldest member of Tuchel's 26-man squad, with his wealth of experience, quality, and leadership proving invaluable within the camp.
Following England's win over New Zealand, Tuchel outlined his thinking on player categorization — the 14 starters, the untouchables, and the leaders. Henderson undoubtedly falls into the latter two brackets, even if a starting berth in every fixture is not guaranteed.
The Brentford star also demonstrated his worth on the pitch during England's opening warm-up friendly against New Zealand, emerging as the standout performer in the first half. It was his incisive pass that carved out a gilt-edged opportunity for Ollie Watkins, though the striker was unable to convert.
Henderson was composed and assured in possession, his distribution was of the highest order, and he dictated the tempo with an authoritative reading of the game. A further outing in Wednesday's friendly against Costa Rica appears well within reach.
This is a player who firmly believes he has a meaningful contribution to make during the tournament itself, and privately anticipates receiving considerably more playing time than many England supporters might expect.
Henderson missed Euro 2024, but he's back in the England squad
Henderson missed Euro 2024, but he's back in the England squad(Image: Getty Images)
Henderson appeared completely exhausted following the New Zealand match — hardly surprising given the scorching temperatures — yet he also looked alert, physically prepared, and match-ready throughout.
It's worth noting that Tuchel has backed Henderson from the outset. Tuchel surprised everyone by selecting Henderson in his maiden squad back in March 2025.
Tuchel described Henderson as a "serial winner" and the "glue" that held teams and squads together. And that is what this is about. Tuchel is fixated on positive tourists, fostering a "brotherhood" and strong characters. Henderson embodies all of these qualities.
Ex-Liverpool captain Henderson missed out on Gareth Southgate's squad for Euro 2024, and the former England boss ultimately came to rue that choice. He introduced numerous fresh, younger players. They were unfamiliar with Southgate, and the chemistry wasn't always correct. The Three Lions lacked cohesion. They lacked Henderson.
Henderson has frequently been portrayed as Jude Bellingham's "minder," keeping him grounded. That's rather patronizing to both players, but one thing is certain: Bellingham holds genuine respect for Henderson. And it's easy to understand why.
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The FA has examined the statistics, and its analysis reveals that, typically, 21 of the 26 players feature. The remaining five don't see any action (and that includes two substitute keepers).
Squad players who are disgruntled simply cannot be allowed to dampen morale. That is precisely why the roles of Henderson and Dan Burn are so vital. Both contribute on the pitch while remaining positive influences off it.
Henderson's career lost momentum following his move to the Saudi Pro League, and his time at Ajax proved a letdown. Yet he performed admirably at Brentford, both as a player and a leader. An injury disrupted the latter half of the season, though this may at least mean he arrives refreshed. He is equally passionate about team unity, camaraderie, and the pursuit of shared ambitions.