Tunisia coach Lamouchi ashamed after heavy pre-World Cup friendly defeat to Belgium 

Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi has issued a heartfelt apology to supporters after the Carthage Eagles suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to Belgium in their final preparation match ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The North African side endured a nightmare evening as Belgium produced a dominant performance, exposing Tunisia’s weaknesses just days before the start of the global tournament.

Belgium’s superiority was reflected on the scoresheet, with goals from Leandro Trossard, Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne, Dodi Lukebakio and Nicolas Raskin completing an emphatic victory.

Tunisia struggled throughout the contest and were unable to cope with Belgium’s attacking intensity, creativity and movement. The heavy loss has raised concerns about the team’s readiness for the World Cup, where they will face some of the strongest nations in world football.

Following the match, Lamouchi did not attempt to hide his disappointment. Instead, the former Ivory Coast and Nottingham Forest coach delivered a brutally honest assessment of his team’s display, admitting that he felt ashamed by what had transpired on the pitch.

“I came to make people dream, but today I am making no one dream. 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,” Lamouchi said.

His comments reflected the frustration felt by many Tunisian supporters who had hoped to see signs of progress and confidence before the tournament. Instead, the Carthage Eagles produced one of their poorest performances under the French tactician.

The defeat represents a significant setback for Tunisia’s World Cup preparations, but Lamouchi and his players will now have little time to dwell on the result. Attention must quickly turn to addressing the shortcomings exposed by Belgium and rebuilding confidence before the competition begins.

Despite the disappointment, Tunisia will be hoping the heavy defeat serves as a wake-up call rather than a sign of deeper problems. The coaching staff are expected to analyse the performance closely and make the necessary adjustments ahead of their opening World Cup fixture.

For Lamouchi, the challenge now is to lift morale within the squad and restore belief among supporters. While the loss to Belgium was painful, the Carthage Eagles still have an opportunity to respond positively when the World Cup gets underway.

The coming days could prove crucial as Tunisia seek to put this humbling defeat behind them and show that they are capable of competing on football’s biggest stage.