Tuchel reveals he regrets not eating the grass after England's 10-man World Cup win over Mexico

Thomas Tuchel has admitted he wished he had eaten some of the grass at Estadio Azteca after England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in last summer’s World Cup last 16, saying he wanted to keep something physical from the moment with him forever.

England produced one of their finest overseas performances to beat the co-host nation with 10 men in Mexico City, a result Tuchel described as among the most emotionally charged of his managerial career. “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,” Tuchel told former England striker Daniel Sturridge in an interview for the Football Association. “That was the feeling. That was the moment.”

The German pointed to Jordan Henderson’s broken arm — sustained when the midfielder landed awkwardly vaulting over an advertising hoarding during the post-match celebrations — as the clearest proof of the spirit running through the squad. “Within a second, the players were there. Every single player was there stopping the celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan — not going nowhere, in full empathy. It was just so special.”

Although England’s World Cup campaign ended in semi-final disappointment, Tuchel said the tournament forged a connection between himself and the players that he intends to carry into the next cycle. “It created a huge bond to these players. It feels like they are my players now,” he said. “You have success and you have painful moments together, but you have so much time together and then you create a natural bond. So I’m happy to see them, happy to challenge them, and very proud to be a part of that.”

England now turn their attention to UEFA Nations League Tier One, with Tuchel naming his squad on Friday ahead of four fixtures in the upcoming international break — home games against world champions Spain and the Czech Republic, plus away trips to Croatia and the Czech Republic. Euro 2028, which England will co-host, provides the longer-term horizon.

“The target is to have another 10 matches,” Tuchel said, referencing the side’s World Cup record of eight wins, one draw and one defeat. “We all have the right to hold our heads high and go with courage and positivity into the next challenges.”