Friday Jun 05, 2026. 15:00
Tunisia will be appearing at their seventh FIFA World Cup, and a third in succession – matching their hat-trick of showings from 1998 to 2002. The Carthage Eagles, who will come up against Group F rivals Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands, will be hoping to advance beyond the first round for the first time in history.
Now coached by Sabri Lamouchi, predecessors Faouzi Benzarti and Sam Trabelsi led Tunisia to an unbeaten record in Group H of the CAF qualifiers. They didn’t concede a single goal in their 10 matches against Namibia, Liberia, Malawi, Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe.
Captain by Ellyes Skhiri, Tunisia’s key players include goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, defenders Montassar Talbi and Dylan Bronn, English-based midfielders Hannibal Mejbri and Anis Ben Slimane, and forwards Elias Achouri and Firas Chaouat.
Nickname: The Carthage Eagles
Previous World Cup appearances: 6 (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)
Best World Cup performance: Group stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)
World Cup record: P18 W3 D5 L10 GF14 GA26
2026 Qualification record: P10 W9 D1 L0 GF22 GA0
2026 World Cup fixtures (Group F, times CAT)
– Sweden v Tunisia, Monday 15 June, 04:00
– Tunisia v Japan, Sunday 21 June, 06:00
– Tunisia v Netherlands, Friday 26 June, 01:00
Head coach: Sabri Lamouchi
A former French international who has managed Ivory Coast, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City amongst others, Sabri Lamouchi has been in charge of Tunisia’s national team since January 2026, replacing Sami Trabelsi in the wake of their round of 16 exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.
Captain: Ellyes Skhiri
A midfield pivot who boasts over 80 caps and has appeared at two World Cups and four Africa Cup of Nations, Ellyes Skhiri will captain Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup. The 31-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt player will look to guide the Carthage Eagles beyond the group stage for the first time ever.
Key player: Hannibal Mejbri
An all-action midfielder, Hannibal Mejbri is already hugely experienced at international level (over 40 caps) despite being just 23 years of age. The Burnley player will be tasked with providing creativity and attacking inspiration for the Carthage Eagles at the 2026 World Cup.