FIFA World Cup 2026 Tunisia: Schedule, How to Watch, History & Record
The Eagles of Carthage earned their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup the hard way. Tunisia went through the entire CAF qualifying campaign without conceding a single goal, winning nine of ten matches in Group H to finish with 28 points and the best record of any African nation in the qualifiers.
That kind of defensive dominance earns respect. Group F is where they land now, facing the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden across stadiums in Mexico and the United States.
This is Tunisia’s seventh World Cup and their first under coach Sabri Lamouchi, who took charge in January 2026 following Sami Trabelsi’s exit after the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ranked 44th in the world as of April 1, 2026, Tunisia are the rank outsiders in Group F but arrive with a defensive structure that has already made history.
Tunisia World Cup 2026 Schedule (Local Time)
Tunisia observes Central European Time (CET, UTC+1) year-round. Tunisia abolished daylight saving time in 2009, so there is no clock change during the summer tournament. All three matches fall in the early hours of the morning for fans watching from home.
| Date | Opponent | Time (CET) | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 14, 2026 | Sweden | 4:00 AM (June 15) | 10:00 PM | Monterrey Stadium |
| June 21, 2026 | Japan | 6:00 AM | 12:00 AM | Monterrey Stadium |
| June 25, 2026 | Netherlands | 1:00 AM (June 26) | 7:00 PM | Kansas City Stadium |
Two of Tunisia’s three group games take place at Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA) in Guadalupe, Mexico. The final group game against the Netherlands shifts to Kansas City Stadium in Missouri. Tunisian fans face a tough viewing schedule, with all three kick-offs falling between 1 AM and 6 AM local time.
Check the full FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule for all fixtures. The top two teams from each group advance to the Round of 32, and the eight best third-placed teams also progress.
How to Watch World Cup 2026 Tunisia
beIN Sports holds exclusive broadcasting rights across the MENA region, covering Tunisia and 22 other countries. All 104 World Cup matches will air on beIN Sports channels, with dedicated Arabic commentary and analysis from former international players. This is the only place to watch Tunisia’s matches live on television inside the country.
beIN Sports covers matches on multiple channels, rotating between Arabic and English commentary depending on the game and channel.
For Tunisia’s group matches, Arabic broadcast will be the primary option. The broadcaster’s subscription packages are available through national operators and directly via beIN Sports MENA.
How to Stream World Cup 2026 Tunisia
The beIN CONNECT app streams every World Cup match live on smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. It is available for iOS and Android and is the official digital platform for beIN Sports subscribers across MENA.
FIFA+ offers free global streaming for selected matches. You can access FIFA+ at plus.fifa.com. Check availability for Tunisia’s specific fixtures as not all matches may be included in the free tier.
How to Listen to World Cup 2026 Tunisia
Radio Tunis Chaîne Internationale (RTCI) and regional stations have historically carried live Arabic commentary for major national team matches. Tunisian fans abroad can follow matches through beIN Sports Radio on the beIN CONNECT app. Online Arabic radio services also frequently cover big national team fixtures.
Tunisia World Cup History and Record
Tunisia made football history at their very first World Cup appearance. At the 1978 tournament in Argentina, the Eagles of Carthage defeated Mexico 3-1, becoming the first African and Arab nation ever to win a World Cup match. That result shaped the country’s football identity and still echoes every time Tunisia qualifies.
1978 (Argentina): Tunisia arrived as an unknown quantity and left with a legendary victory. They beat Mexico 3-1 but drew with West Germany and lost to Poland, finishing bottom of the group. The win against Mexico remains the most celebrated result in Tunisian football history.
1998 (France): Twenty years passed before Tunisia returned. They lost to England 0-2 and Colombia 0-1, then drew 1-1 with Romania. One point, bottom of the group. 2002 (South Korea/Japan): Lost to Russia 0-2, drew 1-1 with Belgium, lost 0-2 to Japan. Out again. 2006 (Germany): Tunisia drew 2-2 with Saudi Arabia but lost 1-3 to Spain and 0-1 to Ukraine.
2018 (Russia): Tunisia reached their fifth World Cup. They lost 1-2 to England, then suffered a 2-5 thrashing by Belgium. A consolation 2-1 win over Panama in the final group game was not enough. Wahbi Khazri scored twice across the tournament.
2022 (Qatar): Tunisia produced the result of the group stage when they beat defending champions France 1-0 in their final game. Wahbi Khazri scored the winner. The result came too late to advance, as Tunisia had already drawn 0-0 with Denmark and lost 1-0 to Australia. Four points in the group, their best points return since 1978, but still not enough.
Tunisia World Cup Overall Record
| Stat | Total |
|---|---|
| Appearances (before 2026) | 6 |
| Matches Played | 18 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Draws | 5 |
| Losses | 10 |
| Goals Scored | 14 |
| Goals Conceded | 26 |
| Best Finish | Group Stage |
Tunisia World Cup 2026 Predictions and Analysis
Group F is a genuine challenge. The Netherlands are favourites in this group, Japan bring technical quality as Asian champions, and Sweden arrive hungry after a long absence. Tunisia sit fourth in the FIFA rankings among these four sides. Their route to the Round of 32 runs through the Sweden and Japan fixtures.
Tactically, Sabri Lamouchi builds his Tunisia around the defensive solidity that defined qualifying. A compact mid-block, quick transitions, and set-piece threat are the tools the Eagles of Carthage rely on. They do not dominate possession but they are difficult to break down. A team that kept nine clean sheets across ten qualifying matches knows how to defend. The question is whether that same structure can hold against faster, more technically polished opposition at a World Cup.
Aymen Dahmen (GK) was the backbone of that historic qualifying run, keeping clean sheets in tight away fixtures.
Montassar Talbi (Lorient) anchors the back line with consistent Ligue 1 performances.
Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt) drives the midfield engine, covering ground and disrupting opposition build-up with Bundesliga discipline.
Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley) brings Premier League sharpness in the advanced areas, linking play and arriving late into danger zones.
Ali Abdi (Nice) gives width, while Ferjani Sassi (Al-Gharafa SC) provides senior leadership and tactical structure that holds the shape under pressure.
The Sweden opener on June 14 is the game to target. A win there would transform Tunisia’s group campaign entirely. For a nation that has never cleared the group stage in six attempts, 2026 is the biggest opportunity yet. See the full Group F standings and analysis on our dedicated page.
Tunisia FIFA World Cup 2026 FAQs
What group is Tunisia in at the 2026 World Cup?
Tunisia are in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden. Their group stage matches run from June 14 to June 25, 2026.
When is Tunisia’s first match at the 2026 World Cup?
Tunisia’s first match is against Sweden on June 14, 2026, at 10 PM ET (4 AM CET on June 15). The game takes place at Monterrey Stadium in Guadalupe, Mexico.
How did Tunisia qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Tunisia topped CAF Group H with a record of nine wins and one draw from ten matches, earning 28 out of 30 possible points. They conceded zero goals throughout the entire qualifying campaign, the best defensive record of any African nation in the qualifiers.
How can I watch Tunisia’s World Cup matches for free?
Inside Tunisia, beIN Sports holds exclusive rights and requires a subscription. FIFA+ offers free global streaming for selected matches and is available at plus.fifa.com. Check the FIFA+ schedule to confirm whether Tunisia’s games are included in the free tier.
Who is Tunisia’s head coach at the 2026 World Cup?
Sabri Lamouchi is Tunisia’s head coach, appointed on January 14, 2026. He replaced Sami Trabelsi following Tunisia’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations and signed a contract through 2028.
What is Tunisia’s best World Cup result?
Tunisia have never advanced beyond the group stage in six previous World Cup appearances. Their most famous result is the 3-1 win over Mexico in 1978, the first World Cup victory by an African or Arab nation. In 2022, they beat defending champions France 1-0 but still went out at the group stage.
Do Tunisian fans need a visa to attend matches in the USA?
Tunisian citizens are not part of the US Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa to enter the United States. Apply well in advance through the US Embassy in Tunis.
Who are Tunisia’s key players at the 2026 World Cup?
Tunisia’s squad features goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, midfielder Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt), creative midfielder Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), centre-back Montassar Talbi (Lorient), wide player Ali Abdi (Nice), and experienced captain Ferjani Sassi (Al-Gharafa SC).
Tunisia head into their seventh World Cup with the most defensively accomplished qualifying campaign in CAF history. World Cup 2026 Tunisia represents a genuine opportunity to break the group stage ceiling that has defined every previous appearance.
Lamouchi’s side will need their defensive discipline and their best individual performances to make history in North America.
