DOHA : The Tunisia national football team will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup aiming to reach the knockout rounds for the first time in their history as they prepare for a seventh appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Tunisia, appearing at a third consecutive World Cup, have been drawn in Group F alongside the Netherlands national football team, Japan national football team and Sweden national football team.
The North Africans open their campaign against Sweden on June 15 in Monterrey, Mexico, before facing Japan on June 20 at the same venue. Their final group match comes against the Netherlands on June 26 in Kansas City.
Notably, the Tunisia-Japan fixture is scheduled to become the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history.
Rich World Cup Tradition
Tunisia’s World Cup journey began at the 1978 FIFA World Cup, where they became the first Arab and African nation to win a World Cup match after defeating Mexico 3-1.
They have since qualified for the tournaments in France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002, Germany 2006, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and now North America 2026.
Across their six previous appearances, Tunisia have played 18 World Cup matches, recording three wins, five draws and 10 defeats.
Among their most memorable achievements are victories over Mexico national football team in 1978, Panama national football team in 2018 and the historic win over the France national football team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Dominant Qualifying Campaign
Tunisia arrive at the tournament after one of the strongest qualifying campaigns in African football.
Under former coach Sami Trabelsi, the team amassed 28 points from 10 matches, winning nine and drawing one. They were the only side across the African qualifying groups to remain unbeaten without conceding a goal, while scoring 22 times.
Qualification was secured with two rounds to spare before current coach Sabri Lamouchi took charge.
Blend of Experience and Youth
Lamouchi has overseen a significant squad renewal ahead of the tournament, retaining only six players from Tunisia’s 2022 World Cup squad:
- Montassar Talbi
- Dylan Bronn
- Hannibal Mejbri
- Ellyes Skhiri
- Ali Abdi
- Anis Ben Slimane
The revamped squad is built around a younger generation intended to make Tunisia more competitive on the international stage.
African Football Powerhouse
Tunisia remain one of Africa’s most consistent football nations. They have participated in the Africa Cup of Nations 22 times, winning the continental title in 2004 and finishing runners-up in 1965 and 1996.
The country has also produced several iconic footballers, including Tarak Dhiab, Hamadi Agrebi, Abdelmajid Chetali, Hatem Trabelsi and Zoubeir Baya. Former defender Radhi Jaidi holds the national record with 105 international appearances.
With a favorable blend of emerging talent and experienced leaders, Tunisia will seek to turn decades of World Cup participation into a historic first appearance in the knockout stage and further enhance the reputation of Tunisian and Arab football on the global stage.
