Tunisia has become the first African side to be eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Japan, leaving them with two defeats from two matches and no route to the knockout stages. The loss, at Estadio Monterrey in Mexico, leaves the Eagles of Carthage rooted to the bottom of Group F with zero points.
Tunisia had lost 5-1 to Sweden in their opening match. That defeat led to the dismissal of coach Sabri Lamouchi, who was replaced by former Morocco and Saudi Arabia manager Hervé Renard just days before the Japan game. The coaching change brought little improvement, with Tunisia failing to register a single shot on target against an organised Japanese side.
The exit is a striking reversal of fortune. Tunisia topped their CAF qualification group, scoring 22 goals in 10 matches without conceding a single one, a stark contrast to the nine goals they have leaked in just two matches at the tournament itself. In 2025, Tunisia had become the first team in history to qualify for a World Cup without conceding a goal.
Tunisia, known as the Eagles of Carthage, once became the first African and Arab nation to win a World Cup match, defeating Mexico 3-1 in their 1978 debut. Across seven World Cup appearances, Tunisia have never advanced beyond the group stage.
Tunisia now face a rampant Netherlands side, group leaders, in their final fixture on Friday, 26th of June, with the match having no bearing on their tournament fate. With Tunisia already out, the rest of Africa will be desperate to keep the continent’s World Cup hopes alive, with nine nations still in contention for the Round of 32.
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