World Cup updates: Gharbi and Saad knocked out of the tournament
Results and fixtures involving FCA players
First Team
21.06.2026, 10:00
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 2, Group F: Tunisia 0-4 Japan
Following their 4-0 defeat to Japan, Tunisia can no longer reach the knockout stages and have been eliminated from the World Cup after two matches. Their change of head coach after the 5-1 loss to Sweden did not have the effect they had hoped for, with Hervé Renard unable to create an immediate upturn in fortunes.
Elias Saad was named in the starting eleven once again. Japan dominated early on and took an early lead through Daichi Kamada (4'). Ayase Ueda made it 2-0 in the 31st minute to put Japan in the driving seat at the break.
Ismaël Gharbi replaced Saad at half time. The 22-year-old had a good opportunity in the 76th minute, but his effort was blocked. The Samurai Blue remained on top and added to their lead through Junya Ito (69') and Ueda (83').
Tunisia will face the Netherlands in their final group match on Friday, 26th June (01:00 CEST).
Matchday 2, Group B: Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Switzerland and Fabian Rieder bounced back from their 1-1 draw against Qatar with a resounding 4-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Rieder played the first 71 minutes and was lively, particularly in the first half.
The goals, though, all came after the break, with two substitutes getting on the scoresheet. Johan Manzambi bagged a brace with goals in the 74th and 90th minutes, while former Augsburg man Ruben Vargas also found the net in the 84th minute. Granit Xhaka wrapped up the win with an injury-time penalty (90+7'). Another substitute scored for Bosnia and Herzegovina in Ermin Mahmic (90+3'). Sergej Barbarez's side were down to ten men at the time following a red card for Tarik Muharemovic.
With four points on the board, Switzerland are close to securing their spot in the round of 32. They will take on Canada, who defeated Qatar 6-0, in their final group game. The winner of this match against the co-hosts will top Group B.
Matchday 1, Group L: England 4-2 Croatia
As FCA professional Kristijan Jakić remained on the bench throughout the match, his native Croatia suffered a 4-2 defeat to England. The crowd in Dallas were treated to an entertaining encounter, with the score level at 2-2 at half-time. Harry Kane struck twice for England (12', 42'), while Martin Baturina (36') and Petar Musa (45+5') twice restored parity for Croatia.
Shortly after the restart, Jude Bellingham put Thomas Tuchel's England back in front (47'). Marcus Rashford then sealed the victory with England's fourth goal in the 85th minute.
Croatia’s next fixture is against Panama on Wednesday, 24th June (01:00 CEST), with England facing Ghana just before. The Black Stars opened their campaign with a late 1-0 victory over Panama, and will kick off against England at 22:00 CEST on Tuesday, 23rd June.
Matchday 1, Group K: Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match at the tournament. Nathanaël Mbuku was an unused substitute.
The Leopards, who qualified for the World Cup via the intercontinental play-offs, fell behind early when João Neves scored in just the sixth minute of play. However, Yoane Wissa headed home an equaliser just before the break (45+5'). In a closely contested second half, DR Congo defended resolutely to secure a valuable point.
Mbuku and DR Congo will face Colombia in their second group match on Wednesday, 24th June (04:00 CEST). Colombia currently top Group K after recording a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
Matchday 1, Group J: Austria 3-1 Jordan
Austria got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start on Wednesday morning, although they were made to work hard for a 3-1 victory over Jordan. FCA forward Michael Gregoritsch remained on the bench throughout.
Ralf Rangnick’s side struggled for long spells against a spirited Jordan team. Romano Schmid opened the scoring in the 20th minute, but Ali Olwan equalised shortly after the break (50’). Austria only regained control in the 76th minute, when Yazan Al-Arab turned the ball into his own net following a corner. Marko Arnautovic then sealed the win from the penalty spot in stoppage time.
Austria will now face Argentina on Monday, 22nd June at 19:00 CEST. The defending champions began their tournament with a 3-0 win over Algeria, inspired by a Lionel Messi hat-trick.
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.
