Thomas Tuchel admitted that, after England's dramatic victory over Mexico at the World Cup, he wished he had literally eaten some grass from the Azteca stadium to keep a piece of that moment inside him forever. This off‑beat remark is just one of many that have been highlighted on social media since the Football Association released a fresh documentary titled *Reflections: England's World Cup Journey*.
In the film, Tuchel sits down with former England striker and Sky Sports analyst Daniel Sturridge to dissect the three‑month campaign that ultimately saw the Three Lions finish third, bowing out in the semi‑finals against Argentina. The pair walk through the highs and lows, the tactical tweaks, and the emotional undercurrents that defined England's run. One of the standout matches was the round‑of‑16 clash with Mexico in Mexico City. England played more than half an hour with ten men after a red card but still managed a 3‑2 win.
After the final whistle, Tuchel texted a friend, "I regret that I didn't eat some grass after the match to keep something from this in my body forever." The quirky comment captured his desire to preserve the intensity of that night. Tuchel also highlighted the solidarity the squad showed when captain Jordan Henderson suffered a broken arm during the post‑match celebrations. "If you needed proof of how much these players mean to each other, it was the moment Jordan fell and broke his arm," Tuchel said. "Within a second every teammate stopped the celebrations, formed a protective shield around him, and showed pure empathy.
It was incredibly special." The documentary will be available exclusively on the England app from Wednesday, September 16. Prior to the Mexico game, much of the pre‑match talk centered on the altitude of the Estadio Azteca and the risk of weather‑related delays, which indeed forced a later kickoff. Tuchel explained that a sense of calm settled over the group when they trained together in Mexico City, and that meditation and visualization played a key role in their success. "When we arrived in the middle of Mexico City, the environment felt like an oasis – peaceful, almost surreal," he recalled.
"The pitch was immaculate, the air was still, and that tranquility seeped into the players. After a gym session they walked onto the field, made phone calls, and just absorbed the calm energy." The coaching staff even coined a mantra: "Silence is powerful." They encouraged the squad to relish the quiet before the roar of the stadium, reminding them that they were playing against an entire nation in a venue where no team had ever won a World Cup match.
"We gave ourselves five minutes of meditation on match day, visualising the final whistle," Tuchel added. The FA is currently conducting a review of England's World Cup performance, but Tuchel believes the experience forged a stronger bond among the players and between them and the manager. He expressed excitement about the next steps, noting that England will face reigning champions Spain in the Nations League during the upcoming international break, with the 2028 European Championship as the next major tournament. "The World Cup created a huge connection with these players; it feels like they are truly my squad now," Tuchel said.
"When a manager shares both triumphs and painful moments with his group, a natural bond forms. I'm proud to challenge them, to push them, and to watch new, younger talents join the camp and learn." He also reflected on the logistical challenges of preparing for a tournament in the United States, contrasting it with the relatively smoother preparation for a European Championship. "We played ten matches in the US – eight wins, one draw, one painful loss – and that gives us a solid foundation. The goal now is to add another ten matches, build on what we have, and enter the Nations League with confidence." Tuchel praised the commitment of a particular player, noting his evolution since moving to Bayern Munich.
"His dedication in training, his mindset, and his willingness to lead in the dressing room are unparalleled," the manager said. "He became one of the tournament's standout performers, not just for England but for the whole competition. His hunger, his physical preparation, and his competitive spirit lifted the entire squad." Speaking about the fans, Tuchel observed that supporters could sense the team's unity.
"People say they could feel the players giving everything, sweating, and collapsing after the whistle because they were exhausted. That authenticity resonated with the crowd and created a genuine connection, not something manufactured." Looking ahead, Tuchel is optimistic. "We have four Nations League matches coming up, and that's where our focus lies. The experience in the US has given us courage and positivity for the challenges ahead." The documentary offers a rare glimpse into the strategic and emotional layers of England's World Cup journey, illustrating how meditation, camaraderie, and even a whimsical wish to eat stadium grass can become part of a team's narrative.