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Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, USA
Friday 26 June, 00:00 BST
Tunisia face the Netherlands in the final Group F match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Eagles of Carthage are already out. They have zero points, one goal scored and nine conceded after losing 5-1 to Sweden and 4-0 to Japan.
The Netherlands lead the group with four points after a 2-2 draw with Japan and a 5-1 win over Sweden. Ronald Koeman's side need just a point to confirm their place in the last 32, but with seven goals scored in two matches across four different scorers, they will be looking to win. Check out our World Cup betting tips for the rest of the group stage.
Match preview: Tunisia vs Netherlands
Tunisia looked a different side in African qualifying. Nine wins and a draw from ten matches, 22 goals scored and none conceded. The step up to World Cup level has been brutal.
A 5-1 defeat to Sweden on matchday one cost manager Sabri Lamouchi his job. Herve Renard was appointed on 16 June, just five days before the Japan match.
The change made no difference. Tunisia lost 4-0 to Japan without managing a single shot on target and generated just 0.05 expected goals (xG) across the 90 minutes.
Defender Omar Rekik scored Tunisia's only goal in the tournament, heading in against Sweden. The team have not found the net since.
Captain Ellyes Skhiri, an Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder with 85 caps, had little impact in either match. None of Tunisia's players come from a Champions League club, which tells you plenty about the quality gap. Khalil Ayari has been on loan at Paris Saint-Germain from Stade Tunisien, but the 21-year-old has four caps and is not a regular starter.
The Netherlands responded to their Japan draw with a statement win: 5-1 against Sweden. Brian Brobbey scored twice in the opening 17 minutes, and Cody Gakpo added another two after half-time.
Crysencio Summerville found the net in both group matches. The West Ham winger scored against Japan in the 64th minute and against Sweden in the 89th.
The loss of Xavi Simons to an ACL injury in April has not slowed the Dutch attack. Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch and Tijjani Reijnders have controlled the midfield. Gravenberch provided two assists on the opening day against Japan.
Tunisia have conceded 15 goals in their last five matches. The Netherlands have scored 10 in the same period. The numbers speak for themselves.
Tunisia vs Netherlands team news
Tunisia
Renard has no injuries or suspensions to deal with. The bigger issue is morale after conceding nine goals in two matches. Mouhib Chamakh replaced Aymen Dahmen in goal for the Japan match and should keep his place.
The back three of Montassar Talbi, Rekik and Dylan Bronn should stay the same. Ali Abdi and Yan Valery provide the width from wing-back positions. Skhiri remains the key figure in midfield alongside Rani Khedira.
Netherlands
Summerville has scored in both group matches and should keep his place on the right. Donyell Malen, Noa Lang and Justin Kluivert offer alternatives out wide.
The core should stay the same: Bart Verbruggen in goal, Virgil van Dijk in defence, and the De Jong-Reijnders-Gravenberch midfield trio. Gakpo is a certainty on the left after his two goals against Sweden.
Brobbey scored twice against Sweden and looks set to keep his place up front. Memphis Depay, still without a goal at this World Cup, may have to settle for a spot on the bench.
Predicted XIs: Tunisia vs Netherlands
Tunisia predicted XI (3-4-2-1): M Chamakh; M Talbi, O Rekik, D Bronn; A Abdi, E Skhiri, R Khedira, Y Valery; E Saad, Hannibal; F Chaouat.
Netherlands predicted XI (4-3-3): B Verbruggen; D Dumfries, J van Hecke, V van Dijk, M van de Ven; F de Jong, T Reijnders, R Gravenberch; C Summerville, B Brobbey, C Gakpo.
Head to head: Tunisia vs Netherlands
These two sides have met only three times, all in friendlies. This will be their first competitive fixture. The Netherlands have never lost: a 4-0 win in 1978, a 2-2 draw in 1994 and a 1-1 draw in 2009.
The last meeting was over 17 years ago. No current player from either squad was involved. The historical record has little predictive value here.
Tips and prediction: Tunisia vs Netherlands
- The Netherlands have scored seven goals in two group matches (2-2 vs Japan, 5-1 vs Sweden), with four different scorers
- Tunisia have conceded nine goals in two matches and failed to register a single shot on target against Japan (0.05 xG)
- The Netherlands have never lost to Tunisia in three previous meetings (W1, D2). This will be their first official match
- Gakpo has scored five goals in seven World Cup appearances in his career, including two at this tournament
Adam is a freelance sports journalist with a decade of experience in the industry. Football is his passion, although he also follows darts and many other sports.
Adam supports Arsenal and local club Wealdstone, made famous by the Wealdstone Raider, who he has interviewed. Adam also follows the women's teams and the England national side.