England's Jordan Henderson/ HANDOUT
When Gareth Southgate opted not to include Jordan Henderson in his England squad for Euro 2024, it looked very much like it was the end of the international road for the midfield anchorman, who had been a mainstay of the senior national team set-up for over a decade.
Such thoughts proved to be premature, however, and two years later he is part of the Three Lions squad aiming to clinch a first World Cup title in 60 years.
Henderson returned to favour after following up an impressive spell in the Netherlands with Ajax with an excellent 2025-26 season with Brentford.
In Thomas Tuchel, Henderson has a coach who has total faith in him. "He is the glue in every team in which he has played, the glue that makes things special," Tuchel has commented.
Speaking ahead of England kicking off their World Cup campaign, Henderson explained how having the German boss's belief was a "big boost"
“When Thomas [Tuchel] came in as manager, he spoke about some qualities that he felt I could add," said Henderson, who will turn 36 on the day of England's opening match of the tournament against Croatia on 17 June. "I try to give everything I can to help the team."
Jude Bellingham, one of the standout stars amongst Tuchel’s troops, emphasised the importance of Henderson’s return to the mix.
“He’s the funniest guy at this camp! He gets everyone laughing, he gets everyone together. If there’s ever an issue, where you’re aged 22, 23 and you’re not sure about addressing it, he’ll do it for you. If there’s a problem between two people, he’ll bring them together.
"He’s that kind of person where even the staff will go to him to sort out issues. He’s got no ego when it comes to supporting the team. He’s a Champions League-winning captain, a Premier League-winning captain. Every day in training, he’s relentless in wanting to be better, in pushing everyone else to be better.”
England attacking midfielder Morgan Rogers was also effusive in his praise for Henderson.
“He’s the best guy I’ve met in football," he said. "If you did a blind ranking of everyone they’d want at the England camp, he’d be in everyone’s top five.”
Although Henderson is not expected to command a starting berth when England run out at Dallas Stadium to face the Croatians, his importance within the ranks is no longer measured solely by the minutes he racks up on the pitch.
On the cusp of turning 36, the former Liverpool captain is currently undergoing an inevitable transition. Although he remains a fierce competitor on the field, he has learnt that he can also set an example from the dugout on matchday, during a training session or through a simple conversation at the training camp.
“When you get a little bit older, a little bit more experienced, you tend to look at the bigger picture more," Henderson said. "You’ve been through a lot more, so you can understand different situations."
Henderson would not appear to be worried about how much game time he ultimately gets during the global bonanza, preferring instead to place the focus on the collective.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re starting, whether you’re coming on or not. Every single person in the squad has a role and they’re here for a reason.”
His inclusion in the England party owes not solely to what he still has to offer in a playing capacity, but also to the part he plays in fostering a tight-knit group, with Tuchel said to view Henderson as an extension of his coaching staff.
Henderson embodies a kind of leadership that statistics alone cannot convey. With the global showpiece ultimately putting far more than on-field qualities to the test, characters of his ilk are worth their weight in World Cup gold.
“It’s never all going to go your way all the time," explained Henderson. "There’s going to be tough moments where you have to dig in and the closer you are together as a group, the easier that’ll be."
Poised for a fourth campaign on the global stage, Henderson will be as committed to the cause as ever, although his biggest contribution could well come away from the glare of the cameras. The England national team might have regained a seasoned engine-room performer, but, above all, they have welcomed back a dressing-room leader whose knowhow may prove to be just the game-changer the Three Lions need.
