Rico Henry finally made his debut for Jamaica on Thursday night, stepping onto the field in Port of Spain only hours after receiving international clearance to represent the Reggae Boyz.

The Brentford defender came on at left back in the second half of Jamaica’s 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago, capping a tense week that saw him obtain his Jamaican passport just two days earlier.

Henry, who previously represented England at youth level, had to receive approval from the England Football Association to complete the switch even after gaining the passport.

Once the confirmation arrived on Wednesday, Head Coach Steve McClaren wasted no time introducing him, offering the 28-year-old his first taste of FIFA World Cup qualifying.

Despite the rush leading up to kick off, Henry said settling into the camp felt natural.

“It’s been good,” he said. “Everyone made me feel welcome.”

Henry’s eligibility comes through his grandfather, who was born in St Ann, and the defender expressed both pride and concern as his family continues to recover from the impact of Hurricane Melissa.

“I’ve got a few family members there,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a tragedy what happened. Obviously, some of them are finding it difficult. You can tell what it means to the people, getting to the World Cup, and that’s what we want to do — get to the World Cup and make them proud.”

Henry confirmed that his relatives are safe.

“My grandad, he speaks to them, that’s my grandad’s siblings and stuff like that, so obviously he checks on them,” he said. “They’re all good, thankfully.”

With his debut now behind him, Henry’s focus has already shifted to Jamaica’s decisive qualifier against Curaçao in Kingston on Tuesday.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing what we can do now to get to the World Cup.”

His transition into the squad has been helped by the presence of Brentford teammate Ethan Pinnock, who was one of the first players to welcome him into the squad.

“I spoke to ‘Eath’ a few times,” Henry said. “He’s telling me how it’s good in the camp and I’ve been looking forward to coming. Obviously, I’ve spoken to Stephen [McClaren], and I was obviously looking forward to come, so, yeah, I’m here now and I just want to prove myself.

“I want to give my all every game, just play my hardest and see where it takes me.”

Henry is no stranger to the Reggae Boyz group. He watched the team in person last summer at the Gtech Community Stadium during the Unity Cup.

“It was good,” he said. “I came to the game against Nigeria. It was a good game, the boys are athletic, they’re quick, they’re quality, and I’m looking forward to playing with them more and getting to know them more.”

A natural left winger in his early career, Henry eventually transitioned into a left back. He says this was a shift that has shaped his Premier League journey but still allows him to operate comfortably higher up the pitch when needed.

That versatility could prove valuable for McClaren, who continues to search for the right balance on Jamaica’s left side.

Henry’s debut, though brief, was steady and composed, linking up well with winger Renaldo Cephas and showing why the technical staff was eager to recruit him before the decisive stage of qualifying.