World Cup 2026: Herve Renard admits Tunisia were “not at the level” after group-stage exit

Tunisia head coach Herve Renard has openly admitted that the Eagles of Carthage were simply not good enough at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after ending their campaign without a single point.

The North Africans suffered three consecutive defeats in Group F, beginning with a 5-1 thrashing by Sweden before further losses to Japan (4-0) and the Netherlands (3-1). The disastrous start prompted the Tunisian Football Federation to dismiss Sabri Lamouchi after just one match and appoint Renard on a short-term basis until the end of the tournament.

Despite the coaching change, Tunisia failed to halt their slide and finished bottom of the group after conceding 12 goals, the most by any team in the group stage of the competition.

Reflecting on the campaign, Herve Renard did not attempt to hide from the reality of the situation.

“We were not at the level for this World Cup, this is clear, there is no discussion. It’s a big tournament with very good teams, especially in this group. It was a very tough group.”

The 57-year-old also revealed the emotional challenge of managing a team whose confidence had already been shattered before his arrival.

“I already spoke to the players, I thanked them. But when you’re in this type of psychological situation, it’s not easy to tackle, especially when it’s against a very strong team in an amazing stadium, and the crowd is packed with orange,” he said after the defeat to the Netherlands in Kansas City.

Herve Renard insisted he had no regrets about accepting the role despite the difficult circumstances, praising the commitment shown by his players throughout a turbulent tournament.

The disappointing campaign stands in stark contrast to Tunisia’s remarkable qualification journey. The Eagles of Carthage became the first nation in history to qualify for a World Cup without conceding a single goal, raising expectations that they could finally break their long-standing group-stage barrier.

Instead, defensive mistakes and a lack of attacking cutting edge proved costly against stronger opposition.

Herve Renard now faces an uncertain future, with the Tunisian Football Federation expected to review the national team’s direction in the coming weeks. The Frenchman has indicated that discussions regarding his position will take place after a full assessment of the tournament. There are also reports indicating that he would likely move on.

For Tunisia, the challenge now is to rebuild after what many observers have described as one of the most disappointing World Cup campaigns in the country’s history.