[World Cup 2026] Tunisia National Team Latest News | Flawless Defense in Qualifying, Players to Watch, Predicted Starting XI & Injury Updates
Complete coverage of Tunisia's latest news for World Cup 2026 Group F. Includes their historic record of 10 consecutive clean sheets in qualifying, club performances of key players, tactics under new manager Lassaad Lammouchi, and predicted best lineup. An in-depth analysis of Japan's upcoming opponent.
The first official match under the new Lamouchi regime. Tougnaket broke the deadlock just 7 minutes in and Tunisia held on for the win. Gharbi's assist was also a highlight. The match served as an opportunity to blend youth and experience under the new manager.
Tunisia occupy one spot in Group F at WC 2026. The North African powerhouse, nicknamed "The Eagles of Carthage," arrives at the tournament having achieved an unprecedented feat: 10 consecutive clean sheets throughout qualifying. Here is the latest on Tunisia as they prepare for their seventh World Cup appearance.
Basic Information
- FIFA Ranking: 44th (as of April 1, 2026)
- Head Coach: Sabri Lamouchi (appointed January 2026)
- WC 2026 Group: F (Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, Sweden)
- Nickname: The Eagles of Carthage (Les Aigles de Carthage)
Recent International Results (January–March 2026)
Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (January / Morocco)
- Group Stage: Uganda 1-3 Tunisia (Skhiri, Chaalali ×2)
- Group Stage: Tunisia 1-1 Zambia
- Group Stage: Tunisia 0-0 Comoros
- Round of 16: Tunisia 1-1 Mali (eliminated on penalties, 2-3) — Chawat equalized in the 88th minute, but Tunisia were knocked out in the shootout. Following this result, head coach Trabelssi was dismissed and Lamouchi was appointed as his successor.
Haiti 0-1 Tunisia (March 28 / BMO Field, Toronto)
The first official match under new head coach Lamouchi. Tougnek struck the opener just seven minutes in, and Tunisia held on for the win. Gharbi's assist also stood out. The match served as an opportunity to blend youth and experience under the new manager.
Canada 0-0 Tunisia (March 31 / BMO Field, Toronto)
Kickoff was delayed for more than 90 minutes due to a thunderstorm. Canada dominated with a 14-4 shot advantage, yet Tunisia kept a clean sheet thanks to their resolute defense. While the lack of attacking output was a concern, the match confirmed that their traditionally solid defensive structure remains very much intact.
Key Players' Club Form (2025–26 Season)
Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley / MF)
Tunisia's most talked-about talent. At just 23, he is the focal point of the team's attack. In the Premier League this season he has made 23 appearances, contributing 1 goal and 3 assists. He is often deployed in midfield for his club, but plays in a more advanced position for the national team, creating chances with his creativity and passing vision. He is indispensable as the launch pad for counter-attacks.
Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt / MF)
The heartbeat of Tunisia's midfield. A seasoned Bundesliga veteran who brings structure and defensive stability to the side. His minutes at Frankfurt have dipped slightly this season, but he remains indispensable for the national team. He also got on the scoresheet against Uganda at AFCON 2025. His ability to control the tempo of a game is second to none.
Ismaël Gharbi (FC Augsburg / MF)
A young talent who came through PSG's academy. Now at Augsburg in the Bundesliga, he is developing in a new environment. He provided the assist for Tougnek's goal against Haiti in March. Technically gifted, he excels in tight spaces. His club minutes are limited, but he is an important option for the national team.
Sébastien Tougnek (Celtic / FW)
A young striker honing his craft at Scottish Premiership giants Celtic. In the match against Haiti — Lamouchi's first in charge — he scored the opener after just seven minutes, staking his claim as the figurehead of a new era for the Tunisian attack. A forward who combines pace with a clinical finishing touch.
Aymen Dahmen (GK)
Tunisia's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper. With 37 caps to his name, he was the key figure behind the historic record of 10 clean sheets in qualifying. His reliable shot-stopping, positioning, and commanding handling of high balls are his trademarks. He will carry the full trust of the backline at the World Cup itself.
Hazem Mastouri (FW)
Tunisia's most consistent scorer in the national team setup. He has netted 4 goals in 17 appearances for the side. A vital presence in compensating for Tunisia's lack of attacking firepower, goals from him will be expected at the World Cup.
Lamouchi's Tactics and Latest Developments
Following the Round of 16 exit at AFCON 2025, former head coach Trabelssi was dismissed and Sabri Lamouchi was appointed as the new head coach on January 14, 2026. He has signed a long-term contract running until July 2028.
Lamouchi uses 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 as his base formation. He is also considering switching to a back five against stronger opponents at the World Cup itself.
His tactical hallmarks are as follows:
- Defensive solidity and counter-attacking: Forming a compact defensive block and transitioning rapidly into attack after winning the ball
- Disciplined defensive organization: Setting pressing traps in midfield to compress space and disrupt the opponent's build-up play
- Tactical flexibility: The ability to adapt by changing formation depending on the opponent's weaknesses
The March friendlies saw a notable emphasis on giving younger players opportunities, with players such as Khalil Ayari from the PSG academy and Louay Ben Farhat receiving their first call-ups, signalling a generational transition within the squad.
Injury Concerns and Worries
- Impact of the managerial change: Lamouchi only took charge in January 2026, leaving roughly five months before the tournament begins. The March friendlies were his first matches in charge, meaning time to build the team is limited.
- Skhiri's reduced playing time: His minutes at Frankfurt have decreased, raising concerns over his match sharpness.
- Youssef Msakni's retirement: The legendary Tunisian forward has retired from professional football. The loss of his creativity is significant.
- No major injury concerns among key players at this stage. Lamouchi is expected to have close to a full squad available for the World Cup.
Predicted Starting XI (4-3-3)
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Aymen Dahmen | Espérance |
| RSB | Yan Valery | Sheffield W |
| CB | Montassar Talbi | Lorient |
| CB | Omar Rekik | Maribor |
| LSB | Ali Abdi | Caen |
| CMF | Ellyes Skhiri | Frankfurt |
| CMF | Anis Ben Slimane | Brøndby |
| CMF | Hannibal Mejbri | Burnley |
| RW | Ismaël Gharbi | Augsburg |
| CF | Hazem Mastouri | — |
| LW | Sébastien Tougnek | Celtic |
The squad is largely made up of players based at European clubs, with top-flight European league experience spread across the Premier League (Mejbri), the Bundesliga (Skhiri, Gharbi), and the Scottish Premiership (Tougnek).
Group F Schedule
| Date | Fixture | Kick-off (JST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon 15 Jun | Sweden vs Tunisia | 11:00 | Estadio BBVA (Monterrey) |
| Sun 21 Jun | Tunisia vs Japan | 13:00 | Estadio BBVA (Monterrey) |
| Fri 26 Jun | Tunisia vs Netherlands | 08:00 | Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City) |
Both the opening match against Sweden and the second fixture against Japan are to be held in Monterrey, Mexico, with only the final group game requiring a move to Kansas City, USA. Tunisia will be eager to secure points in the opener against Sweden and carry momentum into the clash with Japan.
World Cup Historical Record
Tunisia have appeared at the World Cup six times previously but have never advanced past the group stage.
- 1978 (Argentina): Beat Mexico 3-1 (the first World Cup win by an African or Arab nation)
- 1998 (France): Eliminated in the group stage
- 2002 (Japan/Korea): Eliminated in the group stage
- 2006 (Germany): Eliminated in the group stage
- 2018 (Russia): Eliminated in the group stage
- 2022 (Qatar): Group D. Pulled off a famous upset by beating France 1-0, but still eliminated in the group stage
The victory over France in 2022 is still fresh in the memory, proving that Tunisia are more than capable of causing an upset on the biggest stage.
Summary
As their historic record of 10 clean sheets in World Cup qualifying demonstrates, Tunisia's defensive solidity is among the best in the world. With Dahmen at the core, their defensive organization is one of the toughest at the tournament. On the other hand, as illustrated by their mere four shots against Canada, a lack of cutting edge in front of goal remains their biggest challenge.
Lamouchi is still new to the role, but he is injecting fresh energy into the team through the proactive use of younger players and tactical flexibility. Just as they stunned France in 2022, Tunisia have every potential to make life very difficult for stronger opponents through compact defending and swift counter-attacking football.
For Japan, the key will be how to break down Tunisia's resolute defensive block. Rather than attempting to overpower them head-on, a variety of attacking patterns will be required — including penetration down the flanks and set-piece situations.