Within 25 minutes of the match, Tunisia's goalkeeping net shook twice. Herve Renard, the new coach who had only sat on the bench for a few days, could only shake his head. The 0–4 loss to Portugal in the second matchday of Group F was a heavy blow for the Elang Carthage squad. However, what actually happened? Why has the coaching change not brought real change? Here are five important points about Tunisia's situation at the 2026 World Cup.
1. Two Consecutive Losses in Two Matches
Tunisia opened the tournament with a 1–3 loss to Mexico. Although they initially led through an own goal by the opponent's defender, their defense was fragile: three goals from Mexico came from positioning errors and lack of concentration in the backline. The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) immediately fired Sabri Lamouchi and appointed Herve Renard — the French coach who previously led Saudi Arabia to victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup.
In the match against Portugal, Renard implemented a three-center-back formation to contain Ronaldo and co. The strategy failed completely. Two quick goals in the first half shattered the players' morale. Two more goals in the second half ended the game with a heavy 0–4 score.
2. Coach Change During the Tournament: A Risky Move
The decision of the FTF to fire Lamouchi was controversial. He led Tunisia to qualify for the 2026 World Cup without a loss in the qualifiers — the best record since 2010. However, one loss in the opening match was considered enough to end his tenure.
Renard arrived at the match location only a few days before the game against Portugal. He only had two training sessions with the team. There was no time to build chemistry, test strategies, or adjust tactics according to the players' characteristics. African football analysts called this move emotional rather than strategic — and it only worsened the team's instability.
3. Who Is Herve Renard Actually?
Renard is known as an African team specialist. He led Zambia to win the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and Cote d'Ivoire in 2015. In Saudi Arabia, he successfully built defensive discipline and efficient counterattacks — the key to the victory over Argentina.
However, in the 2026 World Cup, this philosophy has not taken root yet. The Tunisian defense — featuring Yassine Meriah and Ali Abdi — still often makes individual blunders. In attack, Hannibal Mejbri, expected to be the playmaker, played lost and had minimal impact. Renard needs more than two days to change the team's mindset and movement patterns.
4. Waves of Disappointment in Tunisia and Unexpected Attention from Indonesia
In Tunisia, public disappointment overflowed. National media such as *Shams News* and *Al-Chaab* described the team's performance as "the worst in the history of Tunisia's participation in the World Cup." The hashtag #RenardOut briefly trended on Twitter in Tunisia after the loss to Portugal. Some fans regretted the early and disproportionate dismissal of Lamouchi.
In Indonesia, although Tunisia is not a main favorite, it received attention due to its reputation for hard play and fighting spirit. Netizens discussed the challenges of turning the situation around during the tournament — as well as linking it to the prospects of the Indonesian national team if it ever participates in the World Cup. Discussions focused on the importance of managerial stability, not just changing names.
5. The Chances of Advancing to the Round of 16 Are Almost Zero
With two losses, Tunisia still has zero points. One match remains: against South Korea in the third matchday. To advance, they must win by a minimum margin of four goals — while also hoping Portugal defeats Mexico.
Mathematically, this chance is very slim. Since the 1994 World Cup, no team has advanced from the group stage after losing in the first two matches. Historical records show that consecutive losses usually indicate structural problems — not just tactics or luck.
For Renard, the match against South Korea is a matter of pride. He wants to show that Tunisia can still compete. However, if they lose again, this failure will reflect systemic issues: hasty managerial decisions, lack of preparation, and absence of long-term planning.
Tunisia's story is not just a bad record in the 2026 World Cup. It is a warning that at the highest level, stability, thorough preparation, and data-based policies are far more valuable than symbolic changes during a crisis.