Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi did not attempt to soften the blow after his side’s crushing 5-0 defeat to Belgium national football team in a World Cup warm-up friendly, admitting he felt “ashamed” and describing the performance as a “nightmare” just days before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The former Ivory Coast and Nottingham Forest manager delivered one of the most candid post-match assessments of the pre-tournament period, acknowledging that Tunisia had fallen far short of expectations in a game that exposed serious weaknesses across the pitch.
“I came to make people dream, but today I am making no one dream,” Lamouchi said after the final whistle. “The match was a nightmare. There is nothing positive to take from this game. Obviously, I am dissatisfied with my team. A message to the fans? Honestly, I am just ashamed.”
The result raises fresh concerns for Tunisia ahead of the World Cup, where the Carthage Eagles will face significantly stronger opposition and cannot afford a repeat of the defensive lapses and lack of cohesion that plagued them against Belgium.
Lamouchi was appointed with the task of revitalizing Tunisia’s fortunes and inspiring belief among supporters after a period of inconsistency. Instead, the defeat has intensified scrutiny on a squad still searching for momentum before football’s biggest tournament.
While friendly matches are often used to experiment tactically and assess player fitness, Tunisia’s heavy loss offered few encouraging signs. The team struggled to contain Belgium’s attacking movement, frequently lost possession in dangerous areas, and appeared vulnerable whenever their opponents accelerated the tempo.
Despite the severity of the defeat, Lamouchi’s brutally honest response may resonate with supporters frustrated by the performance. Rather than deflecting responsibility or seeking excuses, the coach accepted the criticism and acknowledged the disappointment felt across the country.
The challenge now is whether Tunisia can respond quickly. History has shown that poor pre-tournament results do not always translate into failure at a World Cup, but the Carthage Eagles will need a dramatic improvement in organization, confidence and execution if they are to compete effectively on the global stage.