Tunisia at 2026 World Cup: Underestimated and Ready to Shock the World

Among all African nations that have appeared at five or more World Cups—2026 marks Tunisia's seventh appearance on the global stage—the Eagles of Carthage remain the only one to have never advanced past the group stage.

They will play two matches in Mexico first—against Sweden and Japan—before traveling to Kansas City to face the Netherlands.

The expanded format gives more teams a path to the knockout rounds, but with limited star quality and entering as the lowest-ranked side in Group F, Tunisia faces a serious uphill challenge.

The Road to the World Cup

Nine victories from 10 matches and a clean sheet throughout was an emphatic way to secure their place at the tournament.

Their defensive solidity was exceptional, keeping every opponent off the scoresheet, which set the stage for a number of late winners to clinch vital results—four of Tunisia's qualifying wins were only sealed in the final 10 minutes, frequently via penalties. It speaks to their resilience, but also to a lack of attacking initiative.

World Cup Schedule

Manager: Sabri Lamouchi

Brought in shortly after Tunisia's disappointing round of 16 elimination at the Africa Cup of Nations in January, Sabri Lamouchi is a seasoned manager; however, this marks his first international role in over a decade. His appointment at the beginning of the year carried a certain symmetry—born in France yet a Tunisian national through his parents, he had never played or managed in the country until now.

How Tunisia Plays

As a dominant force in African football, continental qualifying does not truly reflect how Tunisia approach matches on the biggest stages. Technically capable opponents can expect to enjoy the majority of possession, with the responsibility falling on them to break the side down.

Tunisia won't necessarily press aggressively to regain the ball, but will look to close down space the opposition wants to exploit and protect their own penalty area. Taking an early lead against them is crucial, as they don't possess a great deal of firepower to respond with.

Ones to Watch

X-Factor: Tunisia will rely on dynamic winger Elias Achouri for creative spark—his first two-and-a-half seasons at FC Copenhagen in Denmark produced 37 combined goals and assists. Quick, physically imposing and equally effective with either foot, this will be his maiden World Cup experience.

Breakout Star: What Ismaël Gharbi lacks in stature (5' 8") he more than compensates for with his dribbling ability and sharp, incisive passing. The Paris Saint-Germain academy product also has something to prove to parent club Braga, who sent him out on loan for the 2025–26 campaign.

Tunisia's Predicted Starting XI

Lamouchi raised a few eyebrows in March when he named his first squad since taking charge, leaving out several prominent players to the bewilderment of supporters. Others received their first call-ups as the manager explored where new talent could be introduced into the setup.

It doesn't necessarily mean the likes of Ferjani Sassi or Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane will be absent from the World Cup squad, but nothing is guaranteed. "I hope [Sassi] will be ready for the World Cup. [But] I will put the final list in a way that serves the interests of the national team," Lamouchi told the media at the time.

Injuries ruled Hannibal Mejbri, Yan Valery and Dylan Bronn out of the March fixtures, while Montassar Talbi withdrew from the squad at his own request for personal reasons.

World Cup Previews

All 48 Teams

Bespoke Illustrations

Current Form

Following the letdown of a round of 16 exit at the Africa Cup of Nations—they were just a Mali stoppage-time penalty away from the quarterfinals, before falling in extra time and then a shootout—the Eagles of Carthage had a productive but ultimately modest March international window.

Lamouchi fielded an experimental lineup against Haiti in Toronto, and an early strike from Sebastian Tounetki, previously a peripheral figure, secured a tight victory. The Celtic winger did his World Cup starting prospects no harm whatsoever. A few days later, a friendly against Canada revealed two clear truths: Tunisia defended resolutely but were unable to score or even threaten. The match ended 0–0.

What We Can Expect From Tunisia Fans

Red and white dominates the matchday look, with some supporters opting for traditional headwear, though the costumes are generally less flamboyant than those of some other African nations. Tunisian club football is renowned for its ultra culture, and that energy translates directly to the national team.

One of the standout memories from last summer's FIFA Club World Cup was the electric atmosphere generated by Espérance de Tunis supporters on the streets of American cities. African football journalist Ali Howorth described them as the "best fans" at the tournament, as they effectively took over downtown Philadelphia. "As one local journalist put it to me, the 10,000 Tunisians created a better atmosphere than a full house of Eagles fans have ever [at Lincoln Financial Field]."

With the opening two group games hosted in Mexico, similar scenes could unfold. However, traveling to the United States in large numbers for the third fixture—and potentially beyond—will prove difficult, as Tunisia appears on a U.S. list requiring its citizens to post a $15,000 bond to obtain a tourist visa.

National Expectations

No nation, particularly one with as much World Cup history—and heartache—as Tunisia, wants to be sent home in the opening round. The immediate goal is simply to win a match, something the team has managed just three times across 18 group stage games spanning 48 years.

That said, 2022 delivered four points—boosted by a stunning victory over a heavily rotated France side that had already secured their knockout berth. Four points would almost certainly be sufficient to advance this time around. The real question is whether this Tunisia squad has what it takes to extract that tally from such a demanding group.

Even reaching an unprecedented round of 32 would send fans into raptures. Anything short of that means disappointment. But given the circumstances, the latter appears to be the more probable outcome.

And Finally …