Jordan Henderson’s new stat pops up after he’s named in the England squad – and it almost looks like a mistake!
Thomas Tuchel has made some bold choices for England’s World Cup 2026 squad, leaving behind many experienced players who haven’t been in great form lately. Harry Maguire, a long-time leader in the team, is one of those left out, which has even sparked some upset reactions on social media from his family.
One player who did make the cut is Jordan Henderson. At 35, the midfielder has earned his spot in Tuchel’s plans. Along with Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, and Kobbie Mainoo, Henderson will be traveling to North America this June as part of the midfield group. His selection has surprised some, given his recent struggles on the field.
Fans have quickly noticed that Henderson hasn’t played much football this year. After a strong start at Brentford, where he played all of the first 16 games, things have slowed down. Transfermarkt shows he’s only had 38 minutes of game time since getting injured while captaining England in a friendly against Uruguay in March. Those minutes came in two brief substitute appearances against Manchester City and Crystal Palace.
Many supporters feel for Adam Wharton, who might have expected to get a spot instead. “Adam Wharton’s sitting on a beach while we bring Henderson just for vibes. Outrageous,” one fan wrote. Another said, “Adam Wharton’s not picked so we can enjoy another Henderson masterclass—can’t help but laugh.”
The choice seems connected to Tuchel’s views on Maguire, as reports suggest the coach thinks Maguire’s ego couldn’t handle being a non-starter in the squad. This hints that Henderson’s role will be more than just a backup, or that the manager really values his leadership.
Henderson will soon be back on the pitch in the Premier League with Brentford, as they fight for a chance at a European spot. Besides Henderson and Maguire, Tuchel has made other big changes, leaving out stars like Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Lewis Hall, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Morgan Gibbs-White, making this squad one of the most talked-about in recent times.