What happened in this Sports story?

In a new FA documentary, England boss Thomas Tuchel reflects on his side's third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup — from wishing he'd eaten Azteca grass after their last-16 win over Mexico to praising Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and pre-match meditation as the squad's secret weapons.

What is a key fact in this story? (1)

**Thomas Tuchel** told an FA documentary he regrets not eating grass from the Azteca pitch after England's 3-2 last-16 World Cup win over Mexico, a match played for over 35 minutes with 10 men and delayed by weather

What is a key fact in this story? (2)

**England** finished third at the 2026 World Cup after a semi-final loss to Argentina, with Tuchel pointing to Jordan Henderson breaking his arm during post-match celebrations — when every player immediately formed a protective shield around him — as proof of the squad's bond

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Tuchel Regrets Not Eating Azteca Grass — SkimNews

By Sky Sports · Summarized & edited by Kapil Samant · 2026-09-16

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Thomas Tuchel told an FA documentary he regrets not eating grass from the Azteca pitch after England's 3-2 last-16 World Cup win over Mexico, a match played for over 35 minutes with 10 men and delayed by weather
England finished third at the 2026 World Cup after a semi-final loss to Argentina, with Tuchel pointing to Jordan Henderson breaking his arm during post-match celebrations — when every player immediately formed a protective shield around him — as proof of the squad's bond
Tuchel credited match-day meditation and a 'silence is powerful' message for helping England handle Mexico City's hostile atmosphere and altitude concerns, including five minutes of meditation and manifestation before kickoff
Harry Kane has reached 'another level' since joining Bayern Munich according to Tuchel, who praised the captain's dressing-room speech after the October camp and described his finishing as 'out of control good'
Jude Bellingham was named by Tuchel as one of the players of the entire tournament, with the England boss saying he 'thrives on the pressure' and 'decided every single match' for England
England face world champions Spain in the Nations League in the upcoming international break, with Tuchel calling preparation for the 2028 Euros 'easier' than for the 2026 World Cup after recording 8 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss across their 10-match US campaign

Why it matters: Tuchel is using the documentary to recast England's third-place finish as a foundation — 'we've got another step closer and I think we're there' — rather than a setback, with four Nations League matches against world champions Spain next up before the 2028 Euros. The 10-match US record (8 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss) gives him a concrete platform, and the meditation and 'silence' rituals are being packaged as the squad's identity going forward.