diff --git a/core/includes/bootstrap.inc b/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
index 68dd7747e3..5ecb4d6ae9 100644
--- a/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
+++ b/core/includes/bootstrap.inc
@@ -28,7 +28,8 @@
  * Minimum recommended version of PHP.
  *
  * Sites installing Drupal on PHP versions lower than this will see a warning
- * message, but Drupal can still be installed.
+ * message, but Drupal can still be installed. Used for (e.g.) PHP versions
+ * that have reached their EOL or will in the near future.
  */
 const DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP = '7.1.7';
 
diff --git a/core/modules/system/system.install b/core/modules/system/system.install
index c7da69b45c..f0c236ace7 100644
--- a/core/modules/system/system.install
+++ b/core/modules/system/system.install
@@ -157,36 +157,44 @@ function system_requirements($phase) {
     }
   }
 
+  // Verify the user is running a supported PHP version.
+  // If the site is running a recommended version of PHP, just display it
+  // as an informational message on the status report. This will be overridden
+  // with an error or warning if the site is running a PHP version that is no
+  // longer supported by Drupal, or that will drop support in the near future.
   $phpversion = $phpversion_label = phpversion();
-  if (version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP) < 0) {
-    $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is too old. Drupal requires at least PHP %version.', ['%version' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP]);
-    $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_ERROR;
-    // If PHP is old, it's not safe to continue with the requirements check.
-    return $requirements;
-  }
-  elseif ((version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP) < 0) && ($phase === 'install' || $phase === 'runtime')) {
-    $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is running version %version. It is recommended to upgrade to version %recommended or higher to ensure your site remains secure and continues to receive updates. See <a href="http://php.net/supported-versions.php">PHP\'s version support documentation</a> and the <a href=":php_requirements">PHP requirements handbook page</a> for more information.', ['%version' => $phpversion, '%recommended' => DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP, ':php_requirements' => 'https://www.drupal.org/docs/8/system-requirements/php']);
-    $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_WARNING;
-  }
-
-  // Test PHP version and show link to phpinfo() if it's available
   if (function_exists('phpinfo')) {
+    // If the site is running a recommended PHP version and has the phpinfo()
+    // function enabled, add a link to the phpinfo() to the description of the
+    // PHP version.
     if ($phase === 'runtime') {
       $phpversion_label = t('@phpversion (<a href=":url">more information</a>)', ['@phpversion' => $phpversion, ':url' => (new Url('system.php'))->toString()]);
     }
-    $requirements['phpinfo'] = [
+    $requirements['php'] = [
       'title' => t('PHP'),
       'value' => $phpversion_label,
     ];
   }
   else {
-    $requirements['phpinfo'] = [
+    // @todo Revisit whethe this description makes sense in
+    //   https://www.drupal.org/project/drupal/issues/2927318.
+    $requirements['php'] = [
       'title' => t('PHP'),
       'value' => $phpversion_label,
       'description' => t('The phpinfo() function has been disabled for security reasons. To see your server\'s phpinfo() information, change your PHP settings or contact your server administrator. For more information, <a href=":phpinfo">Enabling and disabling phpinfo()</a> handbook page.', [':phpinfo' => 'https://www.drupal.org/node/243993']),
       'severity' => REQUIREMENT_INFO,
     ];
   }
+  if (version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP) < 0) {
+    $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is too old. Drupal requires at least PHP %version.', ['%version' => DRUPAL_MINIMUM_PHP]);
+    $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_ERROR;
+    // If PHP is old, it's not safe to continue with the requirements check.
+    return $requirements;
+  }
+  elseif ((version_compare($phpversion, DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP) < 0) && ($phase === 'install' || $phase === 'runtime')) {
+    $requirements['php']['description'] = t('Your PHP installation is running version %version. It is recommended to upgrade to version %recommended or higher to ensure your site remains secure and continues to receive updates. See <a href="http://php.net/supported-versions.php">PHP\'s version support documentation</a> and the <a href=":php_requirements">PHP requirements handbook page</a> for more information.', ['%version' => $phpversion, '%recommended' => DRUPAL_RECOMMENDED_PHP, ':php_requirements' => 'https://www.drupal.org/docs/8/system-requirements/php']);
+    $requirements['php']['severity'] = REQUIREMENT_WARNING;
+  }
 
   // Suggest to update to at least 5.5.21 or 5.6.5 for disabling multiple
   // statements.