Coach change didn’t save Tunisia

Tunisia did not wait long after the heavy 5-1 loss to Sweden, deciding to change their coach before the second round, hoping to save their chances of competing for a qualifying spot. However, what happened against Japan confirmed that the problem was deeper than just a technical change, as the “Eagles of Carthage” fell 4-0 and were officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after only two rounds.

Tunisia’s exit was accompanied by a series of unprecedented negative statistics, turning the current participation into one of the most difficult editions in the national team’s history on the global stage.

First to be eliminated… and 9 goals conceded in two matches

Tunisia became the first team to be officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after only two group stage matches, a scenario unexpected by the fans who entered the tournament hoping to compete for qualification.

In just 180 minutes, the national team conceded a total of nine goals — five against Sweden and four against Japan — making them the team with the weakest defence in the tournament so far. They also managed to score only one goal, exiting the first two rounds with a goal difference of (-8), which is the worst among all teams in the World Cup after the second round.

These numbers reveal the extent of the decline the team has experienced, as Tunisia has never conceded this many goals in the first two matches of any World Cup participation since their first appearance in 1978.

Changing the coach changed nothing for Tunisia

The decision to change the coach after the first round was a clear attempt to halt the collapse and put the team back on the right track, but the second match confirmed that the crisis was not related to the name on the bench.

Instead of showing a reaction that reflected the importance of the decision, the team suffered a new loss and were offensively scoreless for the second consecutive match, while the defensive errors that cost them five goals against Sweden and four others against Japan persisted.

The issue was not limited to the early exit; Tunisia is now threatened with finishing their participation with the worst possible points tally if they lose to the Netherlands in the final round, having officially lost their chance to qualify before playing their third match.

Between the decision to change the coach and the rapid exit from the tournament, the statistics remain the strongest witness to what happened: a team that conceded nine goals in two matches, achieved zero points, and was the first to be eliminated, in a participation that will remain one of the harshest in the history of Tunisian football.

Featured image via the Canary