World Cup 2026: Tunisia faces a last chance to avoid a 'Zaire 1974' fiasco

25.06.26 FT World Cup

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Two matches, two defeats, nine goals conceded and just one scored... Tunisia’s World Cup campaign has already turned into a nightmare.

Despite Sabri Lamouchi’s departure after the 1-5 thrashing by Sweden, things haven’t improved under Hervé Renard as the Carthage Eagles were routed 4-0 by Japan.

World Cup 2026: The official and complete group stage schedule

Although Tunisia are already eliminated and locked into bottom spot in Group F, they still have one last challenge: to avoid becoming the “worst team” in World Cup history.

Indeed, in their previous six appearances, Tunisia have never left a World Cup without earning at least a point. In 2022, they even matched their best-ever result, dating back to 1974, by defeating France.

The problem for Tunisia is that they’ve already shipped nine goals—and they have yet to face the group’s toughest opponent: the Netherlands. The Dutch humiliated Sweden 5-1 after being held 2-2 by Japan. They’re not guaranteed to finish top of the group, as it could come down to goal difference with Japan—a good reason for Koeman to field his strongest XI.

If Tunisia lose by a three-goal margin, they’ll equal North Korea’s 2010 record (-11). A four-goal defeat would mirror Haiti’s 1974 campaign, which ended with a -12 goal difference.

But that’s not all—the real nightmare would be matching El Salvador in 1982 (one goal scored, 13 conceded) or even Zaire’s infamous -14, which could happen if Tunisia suffer a six-goal rout at the hands of the Dutch.

Imed Ben Amara |

Editorar, fr

Imed Ben Amara - bilingual sports writer and web editor with experience in football content creation. Since 2021, he has contributed to Foot Africa, providing news coverage and analysis.

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