Tearful Tunisia defender Abdi unloads on federation after weak exit

FootballSports
22 Jun 2026 • 5:21 AM MYT
DPA International
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Image from: Tearful Tunisia defender Abdi unloads on federation after weak exit
Tunisia's Ali Abdi waves to the fans after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F soccer match between Tunisia and Japan at Monterrey Stadium. Luis Revilla Mata/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Tunisia defender Ali Abdi has accused his football federation of being to blame for their early World Cup exit.

In between two defeats - a 5-1 hammering by Sweden and 4-0 loss to Japan - Tunisia switched coach Sabri Lamouchi for Herve Renard.

"We travel to a World Cup with players who have never played together. You cannot prepare for a World Cup by playing only a few matches against opponents who have been preparing for years," the defender told Bein Sports Mena on Sunday.

"We do not have time to work properly. Every time we tear everything down and build it again, instead of correcting the mistakes."

Abdi repeatedly wiped tears from his face.

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