Thomas Tuchel, the England head coach, recently confessed that after the memorable victory over Mexico at the 2026 World Cup, he wished he had literally eaten some grass from the iconic Azteca pitch. The remark, delivered with his characteristic dry humor, quickly became a talking point on social media platforms, especially after 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 forward and Sky Sports analyst Daniel Sturridge to dissect the team's path through the tournament, which ultimately concluded with a third‑place finish after a semi‑final loss to Argentina. The England side’s most celebrated performance came in the round of 16 when they faced the host nation, Mexico, in Mexico City. Despite being reduced to ten men for more than half an hour, the Three Lions managed a dramatic 3‑2 win.
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 highlighted how deeply the experience resonated with him and how the victory felt almost mythic. Tuchel also used the documentary to illustrate the unity displayed by his squad during that game, pointing to a specific incident involving captain Jordan Henderson. In the post‑match celebrations, Henderson slipped and fractured his arm. "If you needed any proof of how close these players are, it was the moment Jordan fell and broke his arm," Tuchel said.
"Within a second every teammate stopped celebrating, formed a protective shield around him, and showed pure empathy. It was incredibly special." The film is scheduled for release on Wednesday, September 16, and will be available exclusively through the official England app. Leading up to the Mexico match, much of the pre‑game narrative focused on the high altitude of the Estadio Azteca and the likelihood of weather‑related delays – concerns that proved justified when kickoff was pushed back.
Tuchel explained that a sense of calm settled over the group when they trained together in Mexico the day before the fixture. He credited a combination of meditation, visualization and a deliberately cultivated silence for helping the players maintain focus. "In the middle of Mexico City we arrived at an oasis – a peaceful, almost surreal pitch," Tuchel recalled.
"The atmosphere was so tranquil that it seemed to seep into the players. After a gym session they stepped onto the field, made phone calls, walked around, and the whole vibe was calm. We embraced the mantra 'silence is powerful.' We reminded ourselves that we were playing in a hostile environment where the whole nation would be against us, that winning at the Azteca in a World Cup had never been done before. So we chose to savor the silence, to let its power work for us.
On match day we even spent five minutes in meditation and visualization before the final whistle." The FA is currently conducting a thorough review of England's World Cup campaign, but Tuchel remains optimistic about the bonds forged during the tournament. He expressed excitement about the upcoming Nations League fixtures, where England will meet reigning champions Spain during the next international break, and about the road to Euro 2028, the next major competition on the calendar.
"The experience created a huge bond with these players – it feels like they are truly my players now. That's the beauty of it," he said. "When a manager shares both triumphs and painful moments with his squad, the time spent together builds a natural connection. I love seeing them, challenging them, pushing them, and I’m proud to be part of this journey." Tuchel added that preparing for a European Championship will be less logistically demanding than the 2026 World Cup, which required extensive travel across the United States.
"We played ten matches in the US – eight wins, one draw, one painful loss – and that gives us a solid foundation. The target now is to add another ten matches, keep our heads high, and approach the next challenges with courage and positivity," he explained. He also praised the development of young talent, noting that fresh faces will be integrated into the camp so they can learn from the core group.
"We are a step closer to our goals. It's very difficult to prepare a World Cup in the US, but preparing for the Euros and competing in Nations League Tier One is more straightforward," Tuchel said. "We have four Nations League matches coming up, and that will be our focus." During the documentary, Tuchel highlighted the evolution of a particular player – a forward who has become one of the tournament's standout performers. He described the player's rise in both skill and character, attributing it to relentless training standards and a relentless competitive mindset.
"He always shows up in training, always wants to train, and his commitment has reached a new level since joining Bayern Munich," Tuchel observed. "His dedication, his preparation, the way he leads the dressing‑room after the October camp – he immediately stands up and says, 'Guys, we keep going in November, this is what we do.' He has found a new level in his game and his personality. His finishing is out of control – simply phenomenal." Tuchel went on to praise the forward as one of the tournament's best players, not only for England but for the entire competition.
"He lived up to his full potential. You could see a competitor, a machine, thriving under pressure.
He loves these moments, these stages, and they bring out the very best in him. He arrived at camp with an amazing mindset, the best physical preparation, fresh, hungry for football and minutes. He took his place and decided every single match for us." Reflecting on the overall squad, Tuchel noted that the team met the high expectations placed upon them. "Everyone told me, 'wait until the tournament starts, we'll have the best fans, we'll be on top, it will be amazing, the crowds will be massive.' And it was exactly that from the first moment.
The fans could feel the cohesion – they saw the players sweating, collapsing after the final whistle because they were exhausted. Everyone sensed that this team was together, that they truly meant it. That genuine connection was not artificial; it was very special." In summary, Tuchel's candid reflections – from joking about eating grass to describing the profound silence that helped his side triumph in Mexico – paint a picture of a manager who values unity, mental preparation, and a deep bond with his players. As England looks ahead to the Nations League and the upcoming Euro 2028 qualifiers, the coach's optimism and commitment to nurturing both seasoned veterans and emerging talent suggest a bright future for the Three Lions.