World Cup updates: Saad and Gharbi suffer defeat against Sweden
Results and fixtures involving FCA players
First Team
15.06.2026, 08:30
The 2026 World Cup is underway, with six FC Augsburg players involved. Here is an overview of all matches and results featuring FCA players.
Matchday 1, Group F: Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
A Tunisia side featuring Elias Saad and Ismaël Gharbi suffered a heavy defeat in their opening match of the tournament, falling 5-1 to Sweden.
Saad, who spent the second half of last season on loan from FCA to Hannover 96, was named in the starting XI and threatened to put his side ahead with a long-range effort in the 18th minute. However, Sweden’s attack ultimately proved too strong for the North African team. The goals for Sweden came from Yasin Ayari (7’, 90+6’), Alexander Isak (30’), Viktor Gyökeres (59’), and Mattias Svanberg (84’). Tunisia briefly reduced the deficit to 2-1 through Omar Rekik in the 43rd minute.
Saad was substituted off in the 72nd minute, while Gharbi came on in the 84th. Tunisia are already under pressure ahead of their second group fixture against Japan on Sunday, 21st June. Japan opened their campaign with a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands.
Matchday 1, Group B: Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
Fabian Rieder was the first FCA player in action, featuring for Switzerland against Qatar. The attacking midfielder was not named in the starting XI for the Group B fixture. Breel Embolo gave Switzerland the lead from the penalty spot in the 17th minute.
Rieder came on in the 66th minute and made his presence felt with several attacking contributions. Switzerland were unable to add a second, however, and were punished in stoppage time as Qatar grabbed a surprise equaliser. The 1-1 goal was credited as a Miro Muheim own goal.
Switzerland therefore take one point from their opening game and will next face Bosnia and Herzegovina, who also had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Canada in the other Group B fixture. The match takes place on Thursday, 18th June at 21:00 CEST.
These World Cup updates will be added to throughout the tournament after matches involving FCA players.
