Tunisia at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Tunisia are making their seventh World Cup appearance in 2026. They first qualified in 1978, becoming the first African and Arab nation to win a World Cup match when they beat Mexico 3-1 in their debut game. Their subsequent appearances came in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022. Despite these seven appearances, Tunisia have never advanced beyond the group stage, making that the target for 2026. At Qatar 2022, they recorded a famous 1-0 victory over defending champions France but were still eliminated in the group stage. Tunisia have 0 world titles.

Qualification

Tunisia qualified directly from CAF Group H with a near-perfect campaign, amassing 28 points from a possible 30. Under then-coach Sami Trabelsi, they won nine of ten matches and drew one, scoring 22 goals while conceding none in the final stretch, recording ten consecutive clean sheets. They sealed qualification on September 8, 2025, with a last-minute winner by Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane against Equatorial Guinea, with two group matches still to spare. Their group opponents were Namibia, Liberia, Malawi, Equatorial Guinea, and Sao Tome and Principe. Following qualification, Trabelsi was sacked after an AFCON exit and Sabri Lamouchi was appointed as the new head coach in January 2026.

Preparation

Sabri Lamouchi announced his final 26-man squad on May 15, 2026. Tunisia trained in Tabarka before travelling to Europe for warm-up friendlies against Austria (lost 1-0, June 1) and Belgium (lost 5-0, Gharbi sent off, June 6). The squad flew to Monterrey, Mexico on June 7-8 for their base camp at FC Monterrey's El Barrial facility. In their World Cup opener on June 14, Tunisia lost 5-1 to Sweden (Rekik 43'). Following that defeat the FTF sacked Lamouchi on June 16 - the first coach dismissed after a single World Cup game in men's history - and appointed Hervé Renard through the end of the tournament. In his first match in charge, Tunisia lost 0-4 to Japan on June 21, and were eliminated. In their final group match on June 25 in Kansas City, Tunisia lost 1-3 to the Netherlands (Skhiri OG 3', Brobbey 7', Mastouri 54', Van Hecke 62'). Tunisia finished bottom of Group F with 0 points and 12 goals conceded. Renard's contract expired with the tournament; he stated the squad was 'not at the level' and left his future with the federation open. On July 14, 2026 the FTF appointed Mounir Chaâbani, formerly of Moroccan club RS Berkane, as the new permanent head coach.

Latest news

Tunisia appoint Mounir Chaâbani as new head coach after World Cup elimination

· coach

The FTF appointed Mounir Chaâbani head coach, succeeding Hervé Renard after Tunisia's group-stage exit, after resolving a release-clause issue with RS Berkane, where he spent four seasons, winning its first Moroccan league title and the 2025 CAF Confederation Cup. As a player he won six titles with Espérance de Tunis, later coaching the club to CAF Champions League titles in 2018 and 2019.

Renard confirms Tunisia role ends with World Cup; 'we were not at the level, this is clear'

· coach

After the 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, Renard confirmed his contract was limited to the World Cup and has now expired. He said he had 'absolutely no regrets' about taking the emergency role. Post-match he stated: 'We were not at the level for this World Cup. This is clear. There is no discussion.' He left his longer-term future with Tunisia open but the FTF hired him for a 'very short mission'.

Tunisia lose 1-3 to Netherlands in final group match; exit World Cup without a point

· matches

The Netherlands beat Tunisia 3-1 at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City. Skhiri (OG, 3'), Brobbey (7') and Van Hecke (62') scored for the Netherlands; Mastouri (54') replied for Tunisia. Tunisia finished bottom of Group F with 0 points and 12 goals conceded across three matches (5-1 vs Sweden, 0-4 vs Japan, 1-3 vs Netherlands).

Renard calls for Tunisia to end World Cup with honour; open to staying after chaotic campaign

· general

Ahead of the June 25 match vs Netherlands, Renard urged his squad to show pride and close the tournament with dignity. He said his message was not received properly during the Japan defeat and that he felt more ashamed towards Tunisian fans than worried about his own future. Renard said he is open to discussing continuity with the federation but believes he will stay in Africa.

Tunisia eliminated after 4-0 defeat to Japan; Renard admits clear gap between teams

· matches

Japan beat Tunisia 4-0 at the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe. Kamada (4'), Ueda (31', 83') and Ito (69') scored. Tunisia eliminated after consecutive group losses (5-1 to Sweden, 4-0 to Japan), becoming the third team knocked out of WC2026. Renard admitted a clear gap between the teams but urged his squad to stay professional for the Netherlands match on June 25.

Tunisia sack Lamouchi after one World Cup game, appoint Hervé Renard as replacement

· coach

The FTF dismissed Lamouchi on June 16 - the first manager sacked after one World Cup match in men's history. ESPN cited pre-existing tensions with the federation and players. Hervé Renard, 57, was appointed on matching terms through the tournament; he arrived in Mexico on Tuesday, first training that evening. Renard previously coached Morocco (2018) and Saudi Arabia (2022).

Tunisia beaten 5-1 by Sweden in World Cup opener; Rekik scores Tunisia's only goal

· matches

In Group F at the Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Tunisia lost 5-1 to Sweden. Ayari scored twice (7', 90+6') with long-range strikes, Isak 30', Gyokeres 59', Svanberg 84' completed Sweden's tally. Rekik 43' was Tunisia's only reply. The result led directly to coach Sabri Lamouchi's dismissal.

Mejbri confirmed fit for World Cup opener; Tunisia report full squad availability ahead of Sweden

· injuries

Multiple pre-match previews published June 11 confirm Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley) is fit and expected to play an advanced midfield role against Sweden on June 15, resolving concerns from a collision against Austria on June 1. Tunisia report no significant injuries or suspensions ahead of their Group F opener; Dylan Bronn also appears in predicted starting XIs without fitness caveats.

Tunisia arrive in Monterrey and settle into Rayados base camp ahead of World Cup

· general

Tunisia left Sunday 17:00 via Istanbul, reached Mexico City Monday 11:00 and Monterrey around 15:00, then a recovery session. At FC Monterrey's (Rayados) 'El Barrial' base, Nuevo Leon governor Samuel Garcia, FIFA officials and FTF VP welcomed them, and trained on the FIFA pitch Tuesday. Openers: Sweden June 15 (Monterrey BBVA Stadium), Japan June 21 (Monterrey), Netherlands June 26 (Kansas City).

Tunisia routed 5-0 by Belgium in final World Cup warm-up; Lamouchi takes responsibility

· matches

In their last pre-World Cup friendly, Tunisia lost 5-0 to Belgium at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels. Trossard (28'), De Ketelaere (53'), De Bruyne (65'), Lukebakio (85') and Raskin (87') scored, and Ismael Gharbi was sent off for a second yellow on 62'. Lamouchi took responsibility, calling his lineup and tactical choices unsuccessful and praising defender Adem Arous as the main positive.

Tunisia's final World Cup warm-up against Belgium set for a sold-out Brussels

· matches

Ahead of their final pre-World Cup warm-up, Tunisia's friendly against Belgium at the Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels was reported sold out, with around 50,000 spectators expected. It is Tunisia's last outing before opening their tournament against Sweden. Belgium came into the fixture off a 2-0 friendly win over Croatia.

Tunisia lose first World Cup warm-up 1-0 to Austria despite hour against ten men

· matches

In their first 2026 World Cup warm-up friendly, Tunisia lost 1-0 to Austria at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna. Austria's Konrad Laimer was sent off in the first half, leaving Tunisia a man up for about an hour, and they struck the woodwork three times, but Marcel Sabitzer scored on 63 minutes. Coach Sabri Lamouchi's main concern remains a lack of finishing.

Lamouchi denies Mastouri injury rumour, says Tabarka squad progressing well

· injuries

At the Tabarka training camp, coach Sabri Lamouchi reassured on the squad's fitness, stating that forward Hazem Mastouri has no injury despite speculation circulating on social media. He said the players are progressing and reaching the desired athletic level ahead of the friendlies against Austria (June 1) and Belgium (June 6).

Squad

PlayerPositionClub
Aymen DahmenGKCS Sfaxien
Sabri Ben HassineGKÉtoile du Sahel
Abdelmouhib ChamakhGKClub Africain
Montassar TalbiDFLorient
Dylan BronnDFServette FC
Omar RekikDFNK Maribor
Yan ValeryDFBSC Young Boys
Ali AbdiDFOGC Nice
Moutaz NeffatiDFIFK Norrköping
Raed ChikhaouiDFUS Monastir
Adem ArousDFKasimpasa
Mohamed Amine Ben HamidaDFEspérance de Tunis
Ellyes SkhiriMFEintracht Frankfurt
Hannibal MejbriMFBurnley
Anis Ben SlimaneMFNorwich City
Rani KhediraMFUnion Berlin
Mohamed Hadj MahmoudMFFC Lugano
Ismaël GharbiMFFC Augsburg
Mortadha Ben OuanesMFKasimpasa
Elias AchouriFWFC Copenhagen
Firas ChaouatFWClub Africain
Hazem MastouriFWDynamo Makhachkala
Sebastian TounektiFWCeltic
Elias SaadFWHannover 96
Khalil AyariFWParis Saint-Germain
Rayan ElloumiFWVancouver Whitecaps

Recent results

  • 2023-11-17 — TUN 4-0 STP (qualification)
  • 2023-11-21 — MWI 0-1 TUN (qualification)
  • 2024-01-06 — TUN 0-0 MTN (friendly)
  • 2024-01-10 — TUN 2-0 CPV (friendly)
  • 2024-06-05 — TUN 1-0 EQG (qualification)
  • 2024-06-09 — NAM 0-0 TUN (qualification)
  • 2025-03-19 — LBR 0-1 TUN (qualification)
  • 2025-03-24 — TUN 2-0 MWI (qualification)
  • 2025-06-02 — TUN 2-0 BFA (friendly)
  • 2025-06-06 — MAR 2-0 TUN (friendly)
  • 2025-09-04 — TUN 3-0 LBR (qualification)
  • 2025-09-08 — EQG 0-1 TUN (qualification)
  • 2025-10-10 — TUN 6-0 STP (qualification)
  • 2025-10-13 — TUN 3-0 NAM (qualification)
  • 2025-11-12 — TUN 1-1 MTN (friendly)
  • 2025-11-14 — TUN 3-2 JOR (friendly)
  • 2025-11-18 — BRA 1-1 TUN (friendly)
  • 2026-03-28 — HAI 0-1 TUN (friendly)
  • 2026-03-31 — CAN 0-0 TUN (friendly)
  • 2026-06-01 — AUT 1-0 TUN (friendly)
  • 2026-06-06 — BEL 5-0 TUN (friendly)
  • 2026-06-14 — SWE 5-1 TUN (group)
  • 2026-06-21 — TUN 0-4 JPN (group)
  • 2026-06-25 — NED 3-1 TUN (group)

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