The Eagles of Carthage return to the biggest stage of football. The FIFA World Cup 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico will be a significant occasion for North African football, with Tunisia making its 7th appearance in the World Cup tournament. Tunisia is in Group F with the Netherlands and Japan, and has a pretty solid defensive record from qualifying but a huge appetite for qualification for the first time in their history.
Tunisia is the team that is in the 2026 FIFA World Cup standing at the 44th rank in the FIFA Rankings as of April 2026. Ellyes Skhiri is the captain of the Eagles of Carthage, while their head coach is .
Sabri Lamouchi was appointed in January 2026 and has already established himself as a very tactical type of defender, who is very disciplined and organised. The French-Tunisian tactician, who has managed at club level in countries around the world in Europe, is known for having a tight formation in which his side is hard to break down - a style of play that has paid off in World Cup qualification.
Tunisia is an uncomfortable opponent for any opponent due to the defensive strength and tactical organization. They didn't allow a goal all the way through the World Cup qualifying season which will make it very tough to pierce their wall.
Sabri Lamouchi's biggest task will be to qualify Tunisia for the next round of the FIFA World Cup, where the team has never played before.
journey was nothing but one of dominance. Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, Malawi, Liberia, and São Tomé and Príncipe were members of the CAF qualifying group. The Tunisians were the overwhelming party from the beginning.
In total, the Eagles of Carthage played 10 games, scoring 28 points and conceding none as they went through the CAF. That flawless defense over the course of an entire qualifying season proves the discipline of the team's organization.
This all changed on September 8th, 2025. Tunisia's Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane put them on the scoreboard at the 94th minute when they clinched a 1-0 win over hosts Equatorial Guinea in Malabo to secure their spot at the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Qatar. With the defeat the result was inescapable as Tunisia became the second African team to qualify for the final stage after 2022 semi-finalists Morocco.
CAF Group H Final Qualification Stats:
| Stat | Figure |
| Matches Played | 10 |
| Wins | 9 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Losses | 0 |
| Goals Scored | Multiple |
| Goals Conceded | 0 |
| Points | 28 |
| Final Position | 1st (Group Winners) |
Tunisia finished with 22 points from eight games at the halfway stage, 10 points ahead of second place Namibia, making qualification a foregone conclusion in the final two matches.
The team from with Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands. The group stage provides the Eagles of Carthage a real opportunity to earn points and — for the first time in their history - advance to the knockout stage.
Group F Schedule:
| Date | Match | Stadium | City |
| June 14, 2026 | Tunisia vs. Sweden | Estadio BBVA | Monterrey, Mexico |
| June 21, 2026 | Tunisia vs. Japan | Estadio BBVA | Monterrey, Mexico |
| June 25, 2026 | Tunisia vs. Netherlands | Arrowhead Stadium | Kansas City, Missouri |
FIFA World Cup 2026 is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, with the final match at the New York New Jersey Stadium, which is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Tunisia's most realistic match is against Sweden, in the opener on June 14. The realistic option is for Tunisia to learn from Sweden, where they will play the Netherlands and Japan and their best chance to learn lies in the June 14 opener.
Those who are following the FIFA schedule for Group F can check out the fixtures, odds, and match insights on a reliable sports betting site in the Philippines like OKBet, which is dedicated to promoting responsible gaming and safe football coverage.
Tunisia's World Cup tale has been a consistent one punctuated by a large measure of frustration: the knockout stage has always been a tantalising distance away.
Tunisia has been to 7 FIFA World Cups; their debut was in 1978. Their best result across all appearances remains the group stage, having featured in 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022.
World Cup Appearances at a Glance:
| Year | Host Country | Group Stage Result |
| 1978 | Argentina | Group Stage |
| 1998 | France | Group Stage |
| 2002 | South Korea/Japan | Group Stage |
| 2006 | Germany | Group Stage |
| 2018 | Russia | Group Stage |
| 2022 | Qatar | Group Stage |
| 2026 | USA/Canada/Mexico | TBD |
The 1978 Breakthrough: Tunisia made history at their first World Cup in Argentina, by defeating Mexico 3-1 in the group stage. It was a historic day in the world of African football.
Qatar 2022 — The Giant-Killing that Almost Was: Tunisia stunned the world champion, yet was just a game away from a FIFA World Cup knockout stage appearance in Qatar 2022. The following November 30 in Al Rayyan is a date that will never be forgotten in Tunisian football. The Eagles of Carthage were on the verge of advancing to the next round of the tournament, provided they could beat France and Australia would lose their game. Despite everything, Tunisia managed to come out with the greatest win of its career with a Les Bleus 1-0 defeat to Les Bleus through a Wahbi Khazri goal. Australia went into their game with the idea of eliminating the Africans, but they thrashed them and had proved that Tunisia was at the highest level.
Cameroon and Morocco are the only African nations to have made more FIFA World Cup appearances than Tunisia. Cameroon are the first team to reach the quarter-finals from Africa, whilst Morocco are the first to reach the semi-finals.Cameroon are the first African team to qualify for the quarter-finals, and Morocco are the first African team to make it to the semi-finals, whilst Tunisia continue their quest for a first shot at the knockout stage.
The 2026 tournament therefore has a huge significance. It's not a reappearance, it's an actual chance to rewrite history.
The 26-man Tunisia team for 2026 features an intriguing mix of European experience and emerging talent. Of the 26 players for last year's World Cup in Qatar, only six are part of the current squad, reflecting a major generational change, with Montassar Talbi, Dylan Bronn, Hannibal Mejbri, Ellyes Skhiri, Ali Abdi and Anis Ben Slimane all coming from the previous tournament.
The captain, and the greatest star player, is . This Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder is one of the most crucial players. Skhiri, a tall commanding figure in Tunisia's midfield, is steeped in Bundesliga experience and leadership.
Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri is off to his second-straight FIFA World Cup. The midfielder, aged 22, is arguably the best attacking threat in Tunisia and has the ability to “unlock” defenses in tight situations. Having Hannibal in the game in the best moments and winning the game for them as they are able to get them out of trouble could make all the difference.
One of the most promising young talents in Tunisian football, 21-year-old hopeful Khalil Ayari made the cut and has been included in the final squad at Paris Saint-Germain.
The Eagles of Carthage will rely on wide areas especially with Yan Valery and Ali Abdi. Montassar Talbi will probably be in charge of the backline. Goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen of CS Sfaxien should be the first choice for Tunisia.
Key Players to Watch at World Cup 2026:
| Player | Club | Role |
| Ellyes Skhiri | Eintracht Frankfurt | Captain / Defensive Midfielder |
| Hannibal Mejbri | Burnley FC | Attacking Midfielder |
| Khalil Ayari | Paris Saint-Germain | Forward / Winger |
| Montassar Talbi | Lorient | Centre-Back |
| Aymen Dahmen | CS Sfaxien | Goalkeeper |
| Ali Abdi | OGC Nice | Left Back / Wing |
| Sebastian Tounekti | Celtic FC | Forward |
Top Scorer in Qualification: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane was the top scorer in the qualifying campaign, including his 94th minute winner of the game against Equatorial Guinea. The most surprising omission from the final 26-man squad is Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, a bold move by coach Lamouchi, who is showing he has made tough decisions.
Tunisia's top scorer: tops the all time list with 36 international goals.
Football experts have been eyeing Tunisia to see if they can make it to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and they have no reason to doubt their choice of the most defensively solid team in Africa.
Strengths:
Potential Challenges:
Group F Assessment: The Netherlands and Sweden have a lot of good physicality and some European experience, with Japan growing into a viable Asian side. Tunisia, who is making her debut in her home continent of Africa, comes as an underdog, but can surprise everyone.
But has enough time until June to hone the team, and Austria and Belgium are valid tests. Tunisia can make life tough for anyone if Hannibal can fire and the defence can hold up.
Football fans tracking World Cup group stages, particularly FIFA odds on a responsible website like which is popular in the Philippines, will have to consider Tunisia as an intriguing underdog that has a potential for upsetting the World Cup. It facilitates football fans to enjoy sports analysis, live odds, and FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage while maintaining responsible gaming practices.
Tunisia's path to the FIFA World Cup 2026 is one of tenacity, success in defense, and a national aspiration that has remained constant over the past seven World Cup appearances. For the first time in the team's history, the Eagles of Carthage have made it through the group stage, but with a Bundesliga and Premier League talent roster, a coach like Sabri Lamouchi who knows how to handle the team and a zero-concession qualifying campaign, the 2026 edition in the United States, Canada and Mexico could be different.
Group F is a group of serious challenges. The Netherlands, Japan and Sweden are strong competitors. However, Tunisia has beaten world champions before, and they have a defensive identity that allows them to take part in every match. If they can turn that into the historic knockout-round break they've been chasing they will make history as part of their 2026 campaign, or if they don't, that will be the defining story of their 2026 campaign.
Whether you're a devoted fan of the sport or just a sports enthusiast who's always following every World Cup qualifier or the schedule updates and Group F developments, you'll have a reliable and responsible place to access all things football and get all your bets done, from the opening day till the July 19 final.
Sabri Lamouchi has been the coach since January 2026. He's a French-Tunisian tactician, who has built around a young set-up with experience.
They finished first in their CAF qualifying group, having won nine and conceded none in their 10 games. The decisive victory was achieved through a 1-0 triumph over Equatorial Guinea on September 8, 2025, with Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane's 94th minute goal.
Issam Jemâa is the top scorer in Tunisia's history, having scored 36 goals in his 10 World Cup appearances, although a number of other players have had memorable moments on the international stage.
Tunisia will start their 2026 World Cup campaign at the 2026 World Cup in Mexico at Estadio BBVA on June 14, 2026 against Sweden.
The best Tunisia has done in their World Cup history is the group stage. The Eagles of Carthage have reached the tournament seven times but have not advanced to the knockout stages - so they could make history in 2026.
Ellyes Skhiri is the leader and most popular player in the team. Eintracht Frankfurt's defensive midfielder is one of the most vital players in the team, and Burnley's Hannibal Mejbri is regarded as the team's most creative and exciting talent.
