2026 World Cup: Tunisia, the complete disaster

After the humiliation suffered at the start against Sweden (5-1), the hope for a surge of pride vanished in less than four minutes, just long enough for Japanese player Daichi Kamada to open the scoring and once again expose the glaring shortcomings of a team in complete disarray.

Chronicle of a Foretold Disaster

On the pitch, the difference in level appeared immense. Faced with Blue Samurais displaying formidable discipline and technical precision, the Tunisian side looked disorganized, unable to counter opposing transitions. Ayase Ueda took full advantage of the Tunisian defense’s generosity, netting a double (31st, 83rd), while Junya Ito increased the tally in the 69th minute.

With 9 goals conceded in only two games, the record is disgraceful. The shock expected by the Tunisian Football Federation after the hasty sacking of Sabri Lamouchi did not occur. Appointed in an emergency, Hervé Renard assessed the scale of the task—with ruins, rather than a project—to inherit. The French coach, usually the miracle worker in Africa, could do nothing this time in the space of 48 hours.

A Deep-Rooted Problem Beyond the Pitch

In the mixed zone, the gloomy faces and post-match statements revealed a fracture far deeper than a mere tactical failure. The heavy atmosphere around the squad in recent weeks seemed to signal major internal tensions.

The lack of commitment from certain key players, questionable administrative decisions, and the complete absence of any technical direction for months all point directly to an institutional crisis within the FTF.

“This is a collective, mental, and structural shipwreck. You can’t prepare for an event of this scale in such chaos,” confided a member of the delegation, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Criticism is pouring in from all sides, especially on social media and in national media, where supporters and pundits denounce a performance "unworthy of the national jersey."

Saving Face Against the Netherlands

Although World Cup 2026 is already over for Tunisia, there is one final hurdle to clear to avoid officially being titled, however honorary and painful, the worst team in the tournament.

On the last day, Hervé Renard’s men will have to face the Netherlands, current group leaders tied with Japan (4 points). Against the Dutch giants, qualification will not be at stake, but pride. For the Tunisian people, the players will have to show a completely different side, or risk turning this World Cup 2026 into one of the darkest chapters in the history of the Eagles of Carthage.