🇹🇳TunisiaNorth Africa
Tunisia eliminated from World Cup 2026 after heavy defeats, coach and players cite lack of preparation and systemic issues
via Business News3 min read
Tunisia has been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the first round following a 0-4 defeat to Japan and a 1-5 loss against Sweden. Coach Hervé Renard, who took over after Sabri Lamouchi's dismissal, accepted full responsibility for the results, stating his role was to make the team competitive. He noted that the team started well against Japan but could not maintain their level against a quality opponent. Captain Elyes Skhiri delivered a harsh assessment, suggesting Tunisian football needs deep introspection and reforms in governance, youth training, and grassroots development, concluding that the national team is not at the level to participate in a World Cup. Defender Ali Abdi apologized to fans for the catastrophic campaign, highlighting unfavorable preparation conditions. He pointed to numerous changes made just weeks before the tournament, including replacing experienced players with younger ones, which prevented the team from developing necessary cohesion. Abdi emphasized that most qualified teams prepare for years, while Tunisia had to rebuild its squad urgently. The statements from Renard, Skhiri, and Abdi collectively point to a lack of preparation, instability, and structural dysfunctions beyond the field, potentially reigniting debate on Tunisian football governance and the reforms needed for the Carthage Eagles to regain international competitiveness.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Business News.
Tunisian authorities have launched a major investigation into several companies operating the country's salt pans, focusing on an alleged export under-invoicing mechanism. This scheme is suspected of transferring profits abroad, thereby reducing Tunisia's tax revenues and foreign currency earnings. Since early 2026, the Research and Anti-Tax Evasion Brigade, known as the "tax police," has been conducting checks on salt sector operators. According to a Ministry of Finance source cited by TAP news agency, fourteen companies exploiting salt pans are involved in the inquiry. Most of these companies are wholly or partly owned by foreign capital. The investigations cover over twenty production sites across various regions, including Sfax, Gabès, Monastir, Mahdia, Sousse, and Zarzis. Investigators are working to determine if an export under-invoicing system exists, where companies allegedly sold salt extracted in Tunisia to foreign subsidiaries or related companies at below-market prices. The product would then have been resold on international markets at significantly higher prices, allowing a substantial portion of profits to be transferred out of Tunisia while artificially reducing locally declared earnings. Preliminary estimates suggest these practices could have cost the Tunisian state hundreds of millions of euros annually in tax revenues and foreign currency income. The investigations now include all accounting, commercial, and logistical documents of the companies. Control s
Tunisia has been officially eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after a 4-0 defeat to Japan, following an earlier 5-1 loss to Sweden. This marks Tunisia as the first Arab team to be eliminated from the tournament. Daichi Kamada opened the scoring for Japan in the 4th minute, a goal contested by the Tunisians. Japan, described as superior and better organized, extended their lead with Ayase Ueda scoring a brace and providing an assist. The match also marked the 1000th game in the competition's history. Hervé Renard was appointed as the national team coach after the initial defeat against Sweden, replacing Sabri Lamouchi, whose tenure included one win, one draw, and three consecutive losses in five matches. Renard's mission was to revitalize the team, which was at the bottom of Group F. Japan, having previously drawn 2-2 with the Netherlands, is now close to qualifying for the round of 16 and will compete for the top spot in their group in the final match. Tunisia has one remaining match without stakes.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has once again responded to attacks from Donald Trump, rejecting his accusations and defending her country's sovereignty. In a social media post on June 20, 2026, Meloni stated this would be her final comment on the controversy, emphasizing her belief in Western unity. She directly addressed the former US President, denouncing his "repeated and gratuitous, meaningless attacks." Trump had claimed earlier on Truth Social that Meloni had repeatedly asked him for a photo at the G7 summit in Evian and was now trying to regain his friendship to boost her popularity. Meloni retorted that being his friend certainly did not help her popularity, which she stated depends solely on her ability to defend Italy's national interest. She also addressed Trump's criticism regarding Italy's refusal to allow the US to use Italian military bases, stating that their use is governed by international agreements that Italy has always respected and will not violate while she is Prime Minister. Meloni concluded by telling Trump that her popularity "is none of your business" and suggested he focus on his own. This exchange marks a further escalation in the dispute between the two leaders, which began after the G7 summit in Evian.