Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi did not hold back in his assessment of his side’s performance after they suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to Belgium national football team in their final warm-up match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Eagles of Carthage were comprehensively outplayed in Brussels as goals from Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne, Dodi Lukebakio and Nicolas Raskin inflicted a heavy defeat on the North Africans just days before the start of the World Cup.
Speaking after the match, a visibly frustrated Lamouchi admitted the result was far from the vision he had for the national team.
“I came to make people dream, but today I am making no one dream. It was a nightmare.”
The former Ivory Coast boss offered no excuses and refused to take any positives from a performance that exposed serious weaknesses ahead of Tunisia’s tournament opener.
“There is no positive from this game. Obviously, I’m dissatisfied with my team. Honestly, I am just ashamed.”
The defeat comes as a major blow to Tunisia, who arrived at the World Cup on the back of a historic qualifying campaign in which they failed to concede a single goal. That defensive solidity disappeared against Belgium, particularly after midfielder Ismael Gharbi was sent off in the second half.
Lamouchi’s strong comments underline the seriousness of the situation as Tunisia prepare for a difficult Group stage campaign. The Eagles of Carthage will open their World Cup journey against Sweden national football team on June 14 before facing further tests as they seek to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
While the heavy defeat has raised concerns among supporters, Tunisia’s coaching staff will hope the humiliating loss serves as a wake-up call rather than a sign of things to come.
With only days remaining before the World Cup begins, Lamouchi now faces the challenge of restoring confidence and belief within a squad that has seen its preparations end in dramatic fashion. The Tunisian faithful will be hoping their coach’s brutally honest assessment sparks an immediate response when the real action starts in North America.
