Football | The Tunisian team sinks deeper into turmoil

Sep 30, 2026

As poor performances continue and fans rightfully criticize the team, the Tunisian national football team appears to be sinking into a prolonged crisis, as confirmed by the news emerging day after day.

Just days after the lackluster draws for the Carthage Eagles against second and even third division African teams (1-1 against Uganda and 2-2 against Botswana), both at home at the Hammadi Agrebi Stadium in Radès, the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) announced in a statement published on Wednesday, September 30, that after consulting the national coach and in agreement with the Malian Football Federation, it was decided to cancel the international friendly match scheduled for Saturday, October 3, at the Radès Stadium.

This decision seems to be influenced by the toxic atmosphere within the team, where many players appear to have lost all enthusiasm to continue playing in a soulless group and in front of a crowd that never misses an opportunity to boo and even insult them on social media, accusing them of a lack of commitment and carelessness, and even of an unacceptable disdain for the national colors.

Ultimately, the main culprits in this situation are the members of the FTF board, and it is their collective resignation along with the election of a new board that could, perhaps, help put an end to this decline and relaunch the team on more solid foundations.

The new coach, Mouine Chaabani, arriving at a particularly difficult time, has failed to restore unity in a divided group or to instill heart and enthusiasm into the play of a demoralized and disenchanted team. He is, in the end, the biggest loser in this farce that has dragged on for too long.

I. B.