A group-stage exit in 2022 had been a sobering lesson. Tunisia returned in 2026 with renewed purpose. Under Hervé Renard, they were ready to write the next chapter.
| Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| 2 |
|
3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 3 |
|
3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 |
|
3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 | -10 | 0 |
Tunisia qualify for their seventh World Cup one of the most consistent CAF qualifiers. The Carthage Eagles shocked France 1-0 in Qatar 2022 (a dead-rubber match, but a historic result). Hervé Renard was appointed in 2026, bringing his proven African pedigree to a squad combining domestic Espérance de Tunis and Étoile Sportive du Sahel core with European-based midfielders Ellyes Skhiri and Aïssa Laïdouni.
Tunisia found the group stage unforgiving, unable to pick up a single victory against their opponents. Their campaign featured a heavy 1-5 defeat to Sweden, a heavy 0-4 defeat to Japan, and a 1-3 defeat against Netherlands. Netherlands proved to be a step too far, and Tunisia's campaign came to a decisive end in the the opening round.
3lost
2scored12conceded
Lost all 3 matches conceded 12 goals in 3 matches.
Hannibal Mejbri, 23, is Manchester United's Tunisian midfielder. His intensity and creative central role give Tunisia a modern midfield leader that the squad previously lacked.
Omar Rekik led Tunisia's attack with 1 goal at the 2026 World Cup. Shared the top-scorer honours with Mastouri, both with 1.
Renard, 57, is the most decorated foreign coach in African football history AFCON winner with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015), and the architect of Saudi Arabia's famous 2022 upset of Argentina. After managing France Women, he returned to African football with Tunisia in 2026. Managed 3 different nations at World Cups a French at the helm.
