Birchall,whose only football has been internationals and a few reserve team friendlies, is in Trinidad & Tobago's squad to face Guatemala on Saturday before a home game against the USA next Wednesday.
Speaking to the Trinidad Express, Birchall said: "I think this is definitely the best squad we have had together for quite some time.
"We have some players in good form. And to have Russell (Latapy) back is a huge plus, along with the likes of Dwight (Yorke) and them.
"I think for me, back in the 2006 campaign it was a great thing to have someone like Russell around. And it will be the same for the other players now. "He's someone great to look up to and to learn from."
Meanwhle,Aron Gunnarsson is in Iceland's squad to face Holland and Macedonia and Michael Mifsud is in Malta's squad to face Denmark and Albania.