Tuchel Regrets Not Eating Grass After England Beat Mexico During World Cup

Tuchel made the unusual admission while reflecting on England’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the special bond that developed between him and his players.

England defeated Mexico 3-2 in a dramatic last-16 encounter in Mexico City despite playing much of the second half with 10 men. Tuchel described the match as one of the most memorable experiences of his time with the national team.

Speaking about the emotional impact of the victory, Tuchel said he had messaged a friend after the game to express his regret at not taking a piece of the experience with him.

The England manager said the atmosphere and emotions surrounding the victory were so powerful that he wished he had eaten some of the grass on the pitch as a way of preserving the memory.

Tuchel also highlighted the togetherness shown by his players during the celebrations. He recalled an incident involving midfielder Jordan Henderson, who broke his arm after falling while celebrating the victory.

According to Tuchel, the players immediately stopped celebrating and gathered around Henderson to protect and assist him, describing the reaction as evidence of the strong bond within the squad.

The German coach said the Mexico victory created a special connection between him and the England players, adding that the experience made the squad feel like his own team.

Although England eventually suffered a semi-final defeat to Argentina, Tuchel remains proud of the team’s overall performance at the tournament.

He is now looking ahead to the 2028 European Championship, which will be co-hosted by England, and hopes the spirit developed during the World Cup will continue into the next stage of the team’s development.

Tuchel’s comments about eating the grass have since attracted attention because of their unusual nature, but they underline just how significant the Mexico victory was to the England manager.

The win remains one of the standout moments of England’s World Cup campaign and, for Tuchel, a defining experience that strengthened his relationship with the players.