Harsh FIFA rule means England can't replace Jordan Henderson after freak injury

Injuries have plagued England throughout the World Cup and Jordan Henderson managed to rule himself out of the tournament without even playing.

England ensured the millions of people who stayed up into the early hours of Monday (6 July) morning were not left regretting their decision by putting in a heroic performance to defeat Mexico 3-2.

A quick-fire Jude Bellingham brace and Harry Kane penalty secured the win, though that doesn't even scratch the surface of an all-time World Cup classic.

England played for almost 50 minutes with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off for a rash challenge, forcing the Three Lions to defend like warriors as they held out in a nail-bitting second-half.

There were emotional scenes at full-time as Thomas Tuchel and his players rushed to the few thousand England fans who made it to the Azteca to sing 'Wonderwall' together.

But that's when disaster struck.

England stars had hopped over the advertising hoardings that surround the pitch to be closer to their adoring supporters, but Jordan Henderson suffered a freak injury as he attempted to return to the pitch.

Video footage appears to show the midfielder's hand slip off the board as he was mid-jump, causing him to fall to the turf and for his arm to land at an awkward and very painful angle.

The injury is a serious one and has ruled Henderson, who was also booked during the game on the sidelines, out of the tournament.

The moment Jordan Henderson, fell and hurt his arm... Just after singing wonderwall... #England #Mexeng #FIFA https://t.co/4zxxUZkEap pic.twitter.com/mA1kFNrZ9B

— Jim howson (@Jim_Howson) July 6, 2026

However, due to a FIFA rule, Tuchel cannot replace him.

England will be a man light for the rest of the tournament

FIFA's rules for squad replacement state that an outfielder from the 26-man squad who suffers a serious injury or illness can only be replaced by a player from the provisional squad list no later than 24 hours before the team's first match.

England did take advantage of this ruling when right-back Tino Livramento was sidelined before their first game against Croatia, with Trevoh Chalobah joining the squad in his place.

There is one exception, though, as an injured goalkeeper can be replaced at any point in the tournament due to the importance of the position and as there are only three of them in a squad.

Sadly, Henderson does not play in goal, so England will have to go through the rest of the tournament with just 25 players available.

That's on a good day, too, as England have been injury stricken throughout the tournament, with the right-back position particularly cursed.

Livramento was the first to be sidelined, while first-choice Reece James has not played in the last three games due to a hamstring problem.

The Chelsea skipper was back on the bench against Mexico, though, which is good news given England will be without the suspended Quansah for their next match.

Well, they should be, but with FIFA changing the rules willy-nilly and allowing Folarian Balogun play despite his red card, who knows?

If Henderson could have been replaced, it would have been a great opportunity for Tuchel to bolster his right-back options.

Instead, England will have to struggle on, with star midfielder Declan Rice playing through the pain as well while suffering from a neural problem which affects his hamstring and lower back.

England comment on Jordan Henderson injury

Henderson was unable to remain with his teammates after being given oxygen and stretchered off the pitch, with Tuchel revealing in his post-match press conference that the Brentford man had been taken to hospital.

“Jordan injured his wrist," the manager said. "It just doesn’t fit to the evening that Jordan is not with us.

"I don’t know the procedure, the doctor told me he is in the hospital.”

Speaking a little earlier, two-goal hero Bellingham told the BBC: “He’s in a bit of bother but our medical team have got everything under control, probably.

"Best not to give too much detail when I don’t know too much what is going on. Everyone was there to support him and even that was a beautiful thing to see.”

FIFA's rules about injured players are among several new regulations players have to contend with...

New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026

This year, there’s been a whole host of World Cup rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalise players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.

10-second substitution

Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.

5-second throw-ins and goal kicks

If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.

Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute

An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.

More VAR

VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Players can’t cover their mouths

Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.

Red cards for players leaving the pitch

Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.