Thomas Tuchel Regrets Not Eating Estadio Azteca Turf After England’s 10-Man World Cup Victory

Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, shared a surprising regret after his team's famous 3-2 World Cup knockout win over Mexico, a match played with only ten men. The victory at the iconic Estadio Azteca left him so moved that he wished he had eaten some of the stadium's grass to keep a piece of the moment with him forever.

"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."

Celebrations Marked by Team Spirit

The win was filled with drama and emotion, not least when Jordan Henderson broke his arm during the celebrations by falling over an advertising hoarding. Tuchel described how the players immediately surrounded Henderson, halting their celebrations to protect him in a moment full of empathy and unity.

"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."

A Bond That Drives Future Ambitions

This shared experience has created a strong bond within the team, which Tuchel believes will be crucial for upcoming tournaments like Euro 2028. He expressed pride in the group and excitement about pushing them further as they prepare for future challenges.

"It feels like they are my players now. 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. I’m happy to challenge them, happy to push them, and very proud to be a part of that."

Looking Ahead to Upcoming Matches

Tuchel highlighted the team's recent record in the US, where they played ten matches with eight wins, one draw, and one loss. This serves as a foundation as they gear up for competitive action, including four upcoming Nations League matches and preparation for the next European Championship.

The England squad faces a tough schedule soon, hosting world champions Spain and traveling to Croatia, with additional home-and-away games against Czechia. Squad announcements are expected soon as preparations intensify.

• Friendlies: Mexico vs England on 26 Sept 2026 at 13:00
• UEFA Nations League A: England vs Spain on 26 Sept 2026 at 21:45