Jordan Henderson makes 2026 World Cup claim in England retirement response

Liverpool captain had been tipped to call it a day with the Three Lions after the World Cup later this year but the experienced midfielder has other ideas about international football

Posted Thursday, September 22, 2022 by Dailystar.co.uk

Jordan Henderson has no plans to ever give up on his World Cup dream.

And he admits he wants to still be pulling on an England shirt in the twilight of his career - if his nation still needs him.

Most people think if Henderson makes it to Qatar 2022 this winter at the age of 32 it will be his last shot at football's ultimate glory.

But the Liverpool captain is having none of it - and admits he has sacrificed far too much in his life to ever consider calling time on his international career.

Henderson will be hoping to win his 70th cap when England face Italy in the Nations League in Milan on Friday night - and stake his claim for a place on the plane to what would be his third World Cup.

Henderson remains as patriotic as ever and he said: "Every call-up is a massive honour and achievement - and I always want to come here and be part of the set-up as long as possible. I'm just delighted.

Jordan Henderson makes 2026 World Cup claim in England retirement response
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson has been capped 69 times by England (Image: The FA via Getty Image)

"As a kid one of my dreams was to play for England. It was my biggest dream. That will never change and I want to do it as long as possible and play my part.

"As time has gone on I've got more experience, but that hasn't changed the excitement I have when pulling on an England shirt. I look at some players still playing internationals at 36 and 37. So it just depends on how you feel physically. I feel very good.

"I think last season I played more games than anyone else in Europe. So physically it's not an issue and I'm still excited being here with England.

"If that wasn't the case then obviously I would maybe think about that, but I'm always excited about being called up. I want to be here and I want to show I can help the team become successful. Until that changes, there's no reason to even think about that (packing it in)."

Henderson, who has recovered from a hamstring problem which ruled him out of the last three weeks of the season, puts his longevity and fitness levels down to a life without alcohol.

He said: "Physically I feel like I'm in such a good spot. It's a big part of how I play the game and it's a reflection of how seriously I take the game off the pitch as well.

"I've never drank since I was a kid and always eaten the right things. It was always in me as a kid. I never wanted to go out drinking or doing anything like that. It was always football, football, football."

Henderson wasn't part of the shambolic performances in June when England went four games without a win.

But he reckons it could turn into a positive and added: "I think as a team we will have learned quite a lot from it, which could be a good thing. Sometimes you can learn the most from a bad defeat or when the performance level isn't up to it.

"Now we need to use this time over the next week to prepare as best as we can for the World Cup, so when we get there we are ready to go."