Thomas Tuchel said he regretted not eating any grass at the Azteca Stadium after England’s 3‑2 win over Mexico in the last‑16 of the World Cup. The German coach revealed the sentiment in an interview with Daniel Sturridge for the FA’s upcoming feature “Reflections: England’s World Cup Journey”.
Tuchel explained, “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. That was the moment.”
The win was England’s third defeat of Mexico at the Azteca in 90 competitive matches, and it came after the squad had played much of the second half with ten men following Jarell Quansah’s red card. England went on to reach the semi‑finals, lost to Argentina, and then beat France in the bronze medal match.
Tuchel highlighted the match as a campaign highlight, noting the “huge bond” within the squad, especially after Jordan Henderson’s tournament‑ending injury. He described the moment when Henderson fell over an advertising hoarding, broke his arm, and how the team immediately rallied to protect him.
Looking ahead, Tuchel said England will face Spain in the 2026‑27 UEFA Nations League opener on 26 September, with the 2028 European Championships also on his radar. He believes the World Cup run has cemented his relationship with the squad and that “it feels like they are my players now”.
Tuchel added, “I’m very excited. I think we got another step closer and I think we’re there.”
