Thomas Tuchel has expressed a quirky regret about England’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Mexico in the World Cup last summer, wishing he had taken a bite of the grass to remember the moment. The match, held in Mexico City during the last-16 tie, marked one of England's finest performances, albeit ending in semi-final disappointment.

In a heartfelt interview with former England striker Daniel Sturridge, Tuchel reflected on the camaraderie among the players, emphasizing how the spirit was visible even when Jordan Henderson suffered a broken arm during the celebrations.

• Tuchel remarked:

This game had so much of what you could wish for.

• He praised the players' immediate response, stating, "Every single player was there stopping the celebrations, building a shield, protecting Jordan – not going nowhere, in full empathy. It was just so special."

Looking ahead, Tuchel aims to harness that bond as England prepares for Euro 2028, which will be co-hosted by England. He feels a strong connection to the players, saying, "It created a huge bond to these players. It feels like they are my players now."

England will soon face Spain in the Uefa Nations League, followed by matches against Croatia and the Czech Republic. Tuchel is set to announce his squad on Friday and is optimistic about their progress, noting:

I think we got another step closer and I think we’re there.

• He emphasized the importance of the upcoming matches to build on their recent performance, stating, "We all have the right to hold our heads high and go with courage and positivity into the next challenges."