Tunisia Hammered 0-5 by Belgium in Final World Cup Warm-Up

Tunisia were taken apart 0-5 by Belgium at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on June 6, as of June 7, 2026 . It was the Eagles of Carthage's last fixture before departing for the World Cup. The scoreline was ugly. The timing makes it worse.

This was Tunisia's second consecutive shutout defeat (as of June 7, 2026). Five days earlier, they lost 0-1 to Austria . Across those two friendlies: zero goals scored, six conceded. That is the form line Sabri Lamouchi's squad carries into Group F.

How the Rout Unfolded

The first half was relatively even (as of June 7, 2026). Belgium controlled possession but could not crack Tunisia open immediately . The second half was a different match entirely. Belgium's attacking depth overwhelmed the Tunisian backline, and the goals came in clusters.

Dodi Lukebakio struck with a volley in the 85th minute. Nicolas Raskin added a fifth two minutes later with a shot from outside the box . The full five-goal haul was spread across the second half, turning a competitive fixture into a rout described as a dominant performance .

Lamouchi set up his side in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Chamakh started in goal. The back four was Ben Hamida, Talbi, Rekik, and Arous. Mahmoud and Skhiri sat as the double pivot. Achouri, Gharbi, and Mastouri worked ahead of them, with Mastouri leading the line . It was a lineup designed to give depth players minutes before the tournament. Belgium punished it.

The scoreline carries an uncomfortable echo. Tunisia lost 5-2 to Belgium at the 2018 World Cup in Russia . The head-to-head has been historically lopsided, and this result did nothing to change the narrative.

Defensive Questions Before Group F

The numbers from the trailing 12 months tell a mixed story. Tunisia's recent record stands at 8 wins, 6 draws, and 6 losses, scoring 31 goals and conceding 20. That is not a bad record on paper. But the trajectory heading into the tournament is poor (as of June 7, 2026).

In March, Tunisia drew 0-0 with Canada and beat Haiti 1-0 — tight, disciplined results. In December and January, they beat Uganda 3-1 and Qatar 3-0, but also lost 2-3 to Nigeria and drew with Palestine and Tanzania. The form has been inconsistent. Losing the final two warm-ups without scoring is the worst possible version of that inconsistency.

Lamouchi's central problem is clear. His double pivot of E. Skhiri (485 NT minutes, 6 appearances in the last 12 months) and Mohamed Hadj-Mahmoud could not shield the defence against quality opposition . Skhiri is the squad's most experienced central midfielder at international level over the past year, and even he was overrun (as of June 7, 2026).

The Full 26-Man Squad

Tunisia named their official 26-player roster on May 15, 2026. Here is every player by position, with NT minutes from the last 12 months.

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Forwards

Players to Watch Despite the Scoreline

A. Abdi is the most productive defender in the pool. He has 559 NT minutes, 1 goal, and 2 assists over the last 12 months, plus 3 goals in 32 club appearances at Nice. He can contribute going forward (as of June 7, 2026).

S. Tounekti stands out at club level. At Celtic, he has logged 5421 minutes across 79 appearances in the past year, scoring 6 goals and providing 12 assists. His NT minutes (133) are modest by comparison, but the club form suggests he could be Lamouchi's most impactful option off the bench (as of June 7, 2026).

E. Achouri has 2 goals in 7 NT appearances and 4 goals plus 6 assists in 32 matches at FC Copenhagen. He is the closest thing Tunisia have to a consistent attacking threat at both levels (as of June 7, 2026).

Group F Fixtures

Tunisia open against Sweden on June 14 at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe. They face Japan on June 20, again at Estadio BBVA. The group finale is against the Netherlands on June 25 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

The group is demanding. The Netherlands and Japan are seeded higher. Sweden are a direct rival for a possible third-place spot. Tunisia cannot afford to carry the defensive fragility they showed in Brussels into any of those matches.

What Does This Result Actually Mean?

Friendlies are friendlies. Lamouchi rotated his squad and used the match to test a lineup. But 0-5 is 0-5. Results in the final days before a World Cup set the psychological baseline. Players know. Coaching staff know. The confidence deficit is real, and it has to be addressed in training before June 14.

The positive spin: the core group that will start against Sweden — likely featuring Dahmen in goal, Valery and Abdi in defence, Skhiri and Mejbri in midfield — was not fully deployed against Belgium . Lamouchi has his strongest XI in reserve. The question is whether that XI can hold up against the quality of Group F.

When does Tunisia play their first World Cup 2026 match?

Tunisia open Group F against Sweden on June 14 at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe. Their second match is against Japan on June 20 at the same venue, followed by the Netherlands on June 25 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.

How many players are in Tunisia's World Cup 2026 squad?

Sabri Lamouchi named 26 players in the official roster, announced on May 15, 2026. The squad draws from clubs across Europe, Türkiye, the United States, and the Tunisian domestic league.

Who are the key players for Tunisia at the World Cup?

E. Skhiri leads the midfield with 485 NT minutes and a goal over the last 12 months. A. Abdi has been the most productive defender with 559 NT minutes, 1 goal, and 2 assists. S. Tounekti's club form at Celtic — 6 goals and 12 assists in 79 appearances — makes him a high-upside option in attack (as of June 7, 2026).

What was Tunisia's recent form heading into the World Cup?

Tunisia's record over the trailing 12 months is 8 wins, 6 draws, and 6 losses, with 31 goals scored and 20 conceded. However, they ended their pre-tournament schedule with consecutive shutout losses — 0-1 to Austria and 0-5 to Belgium — conceding six goals without reply (as of June 7, 2026).

Why is the Belgium result concerning for Tunisia?

The 0-5 loss was Tunisia's heaviest defeat in the pre-tournament window and echoes a 5-2 loss to Belgium at the 2018 World Cup . More immediately, it exposed the inability of the 4-2-3-1 system's double pivot to protect the defence against pace and movement — the same qualities Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands will bring in Group F (as of June 7, 2026).

See the projected squad
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