Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri has apologised to supporters after the Carthage Eagles were kicked out from the FIFA 2026 World Cup following a second consecutive group-stage defeat.
Tunisia’s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds were ended by a crushing 4-0 loss to Japan at Estadio Monterrey Guadalupe in Mexico in their second Group F match.
The defeat followed a humiliating 5-1 loss to Sweden in their opening game, a result that led to the dismissal of head coach Sabri Lamouchi and the appointment of Hervé Renard ahead of the clash with Japan.
Read Also: Tunisia sack head coach Lamouchi after 5-1 World Cup defeat to Sweden
Japan took control early through Daichi Kamada, who finished a cross from Keito Nakamura to score his second goal of the tournament. The strike also became Japan’s fastest-ever goal at a FIFA World Cup, surpassing Shinji Kagawa’s sixth-minute effort against Colombia in 2018.
Ayase Ueda doubled Japan’s lead before Junya Ito added a third. Ueda then grabbed his second goal of the match late on to complete an emphatic victory for the Samurai Blue.
Speaking to FIFA.com after the defeat, Skhiri admitted Tunisia had failed to meet the level required to compete on football’s biggest stage.
“We have to be honest with ourselves,” Skhiri said.
“When we look at our performances in the last two matches, the truth is simple: we do not have the level required for this tournament right now.
“That is the reality. I am truly sorry to the Tunisian people.”
Skhiri accepts responsibility for disappointing campaign
The Tunisia skipper said the team understood the frustration of supporters after conceding nine goals in two matches and exiting the tournament with a game to spare.
“We apologise to our supporters. We are deeply sorry and very disappointed,” he said.
“We understand that they are not happy at all, and apologies alone are not enough.
“There is nothing else we can say. We simply have to work, improve and show it on the pitch. That is what people expect from us, actions, nothing more.”
‘We simply were not good enough’
Reflecting on Tunisia’s defensive struggles, the Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder acknowledged that costly mistakes had punished the team throughout the tournament.
“At this level, you cannot afford to make mistakes like that,” Skhiri added.
“Our problem was not a lack of effort.
“We simply do not have the required level right now. Japan were much better than us, and we have to congratulate them on their performance.
“We also need to apologise to our fans once again and accept the difference between the two teams.”
Tunisia’s elimination leaves them rooted to the bottom of Group F after conceding nine goals and scoring just once in two matches, bringing a disappointing World Cup campaign to an early end.
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