It’s World Cuppa as England team switch to herbal tea!

ENGLAND’S World Cup squad have turned to a new herbal tea to boost their brain power and perhaps even their performance.

The drink – called ‘mate’ – originates in South America and was introduced to the 23-man squad by five Tottenham Hotspur stars.

England and Spurs midfielder Eric Dier has told how the herbalinfused drink, which originated in Paraguay, is now hugely popular in South America.

It was brought to the England squad by Spurs players Dele Alli, Danny Rose, Kieran Trippier, Harry Kane and Dier – who were themselves first given it by Argentinian Spurs coach Mauricio Pochettino.

‘At Tottenham quite a lot of the players have started drinking it,’ explained Dier. ‘ I am a bit addicted to it now.’

Mate – pronounced ‘ma-teh’– is made with ground leaves from a holly plant called yerba mate.

A 500g bag can be bought in the UK for around £6.