MEXICO CITY — England manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed a unique regret following his side's 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup round of 16 at the Azteca Stadium. In an interview for the FA feature 'Reflections: England's World Cup Journey,' Tuchel admitted he wished he had eaten some of the stadium's grass to commemorate the moment.
The match, held in July, saw England secure the win despite playing the majority of the second half with 10 men after Jarell Quansah was sent off. It marked only the third time Mexico had lost at the venue in 90 competitive matches. England ultimately reached the semi-finals, where they were defeated by Argentina, before securing third place with a victory over France.
Tuchel highlighted the squad's unity during the tournament, specifically citing the team's reaction when Jordan Henderson suffered a tournament-ending broken arm after falling over an advertising hoarding during the post-match celebrations. "Within a second, the players were there. Every single player was there stopping the celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan," Tuchel said.
Looking ahead, Tuchel is preparing his squad for their 2026-27 Uefa Nations League opener against Spain on 26 September. The manager expressed confidence in the current group, stating, "It feels like they are my players now," as he continues to build toward the 2028 European Championships.