Thomas Tuchel, the England head coach, recently confessed that after the team’s dramatic 3‑2 victory over Mexico at the 2026 World Cup, he wished he had literally eaten some of the grass from the iconic Estadio Azteca pitch. The off‑hand remark quickly went viral, becoming one of several memorable sound bites that have been circulating on social media since the Football Association released a new behind‑the‑scenes film titled *Reflections: England’s World Cup Journey*. In the documentary, Tuchel sits down with former England striker and Sky Sports analyst Daniel Sturridge to dissect the three‑month campaign that ultimately saw England finish third after a semi‑final loss to Argentina. The pair reminisce about the high points, the low points, and the moments that forged a deep bond among the squad.
One of the most talked‑about matches was the round‑of‑16 clash against Mexico in Mexico City. England played more than half an hour with only ten men after a red card, yet they managed to edge the hosts 3‑2. After the final whistle, Tuchel texted a friend, writing, “I regret that I didn’t eat some grass after the match to keep something from this in my body forever.” The hyperbolic comment captured the intensity of the experience and the lingering sense of awe he felt. Tuchel also highlighted the unity displayed when captain Jordan Henderson suffered a broken arm during the post‑match celebrations.
“If you needed proof of how much these players care for each other, it was the moment Jordan fell and broke his arm,” Tuchel explained. “Within a second every teammate stopped celebrating, formed a protective shield around him and showed pure empathy.
It was something special.” The documentary will premiere on Wednesday, September 16, exclusively on the official England app. Ahead of the Mexico game, much of the pre‑match conversation centered on the altitude of the Azteca stadium and the possibility of weather‑related delays, which indeed forced a later kick‑off.
Tuchel, however, emphasized that a sense of calm settled over the squad during their training camp in Mexico City. He credited meditation and a focus on manifestation for helping the players maintain composure and secure the win. “The training ground felt like an oasis,” Tuchel recalled. “It was unbelievably peaceful, and that serenity transferred onto the pitch.
The players walked out of the gym, took a few deep breaths, and the whole environment was charged with a quiet energy.” He went on to describe a mantra the team adopted: “Silence is powerful.” The idea was to embrace the quiet before stepping into a stadium where the entire nation would be cheering against them, a scenario rarely seen in World Cup history. “We even set aside five minutes on match day for meditation and visualising the final whistle,” he added.
The FA is currently conducting a comprehensive review of England’s World Cup performance, but Tuchel remains optimistic about the future. He believes the shared hardships and triumphs have forged a stronger collective identity, saying, “It feels like they are my players now. That’s the beauty of it.” He praised the squad’s resilience, noting that the combination of success and painful moments creates a natural bond between a manager and his team. Looking ahead, England will face reigning champions Spain in the Nations League during the upcoming international break, with the 2028 European Championship being the next major tournament on the horizon.
Tuchel feels that preparing for the Euros will be less logistically demanding than the massive undertaking required for a World Cup hosted in the United States. “It created a huge bond with these players.
When you experience both victories and setbacks together, you develop a genuine connection,” he said. “I’m excited to work with them, to challenge them, and to bring in fresh, young talent that can learn from this environment.” He also highlighted the importance of maintaining a positive mindset: “We have the right to hold our heads high and face the next challenges with courage and optimism.” Tuchel also praised individual performances, singling out a young forward who, according to him, was one of the tournament’s standout players. “His level of commitment, his training ethic, and his mental toughness are extraordinary.
He arrived at the camp ready, hungry for minutes, and delivered in every game,” Tuchel asserted. The coach described the player as a “machine” who thrives under pressure and consistently raises his game on big stages. The documentary also touches on the fans’ role in the campaign. Tuchel noted that supporters could sense the team’s unity, even if they couldn’t articulate it: “You could see the players sweating, collapsing after the final whistle, and you knew they had given everything.
That authenticity resonated with the crowd and created an unforced, powerful connection.” In summary, the film offers a candid look at England’s journey, from the tactical adjustments and mental preparation to the emotional moments that defined the tournament. Tuchel’s reflections—whether about eating grass, meditating in an oasis, or protecting an injured captain—paint a picture of a squad that grew together through adversity and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. Fans are encouraged to watch the documentary on the England app starting September 16, and the FA continues to evaluate the campaign’s lessons as the team sets its sights on future competitions.