Tuchel wishes he had eaten grass after England's World Cup win over Mexico

England coach Thomas Tuchel has said he regrets not eating some grass at Mexico’s famous Azteca Stadium after their World Cup win against Mexico.

England beat Mexico 3-2 in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Tuchel called the match one of the best moments of the team’s journey.

In a chat with former England striker Daniel Sturridge for the English Football Association’s documentary, Reflections: England’s World Cup Journey, Tuchel mentioned he wished he had taken something from the pitch to remember the day. The Athletic reported on this on Tuesday.

“I texted a friend after the match. And I just wrote: I regret that I didn’t eat some grass after the match, to keep something from this in my body forever. That was the feeling. It was the moment,” Tuchel said.

Team Spirit

Tuchel also talked about how England’s players supported Jordan Henderson during the celebrations. Henderson fell and hurt his wrist, and this injury ended his time in the tournament.

“This had so much of what you could wish for.

“If you needed any proof of what it meant to these players, and how they were with each other, it was the moment when Jordan fell over and broke his arm. In a second the players were there, every single player was there, stopping celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan, not going anywhere, in full empathy. It was so special,” he said.

Tuchel said England’s World Cup journey, which ended with a loss to Argentina in the semi-final, has given the team a base for the 2028 European Championship.

He added that England will focus on their upcoming Nations League matches as they prepare for the Euros.

Tuchel said, “I’m very excited to work with these players. I’m excited to have new young players we can bring into the camp, and they can learn.

“I think we got another step closer. I think we’re there. It’s very difficult to prepare a World Cup in the US, but I think it’s possible to prepare for a Euros. And we prepare in Nations League tier one.

“The target is to have another 10 matches. We had 10 matches in the US (including two pre-World Cup friendlies): eight wins, one draw, one painful loss. But that is something to build on.

“We all have the right to hold our heads high, and go with courage and positivity into the next challenges. We have four matches in the Nations League (in the upcoming three-week international window). That’s where the focus is.”

England will next play world champions Spain at Wembley in the Nations League on September 26.