World Cup 2026: Tunisia vs Netherlands â?? Preview, team news and kick-off time

World Cup 2026: Tunisia vs Netherlands â?? Preview, team news and kick-off time

Tunisia head into their final Group F match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with only pride left to fight for as they prepare to face the Netherlands at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday.

The Eagles of Carthage have already been eliminated from the tournament following consecutive defeats, while the Dutch arrive in Kansas City aiming to secure top spot in the group and continue their impressive World Cup run.

The new tournament regulations, which prioritise head-to-head results over goal difference, confirmed Tunisia’s exit before the final round, leaving the North African side unable to recover their position in the standings.

Tunisia’s campaign suffered another major setback after a heavy 4-0 defeat to Japan, a match in which they failed to register a single shot on target. The result made them only the fourth team in World Cup history to lose two matches by four or more goals in the same tournament, and the first since Greece in 1994.

The statistics further highlight the difficult run currently facing Hervé Renard’s side. Tunisia have now lost their last four matches and have managed only one victory in their previous nine games across all competitions.

Their overall World Cup record also reflects those struggles, with the Eagles of Carthage winning only three of their 20 matches on football’s biggest stage.

The Netherlands, meanwhile, enter the clash in dominant form after a commanding 5-1 victory over Sweden in their previous outing. That result virtually secured qualification for the knockout stage and extended the Oranje’s unbeaten World Cup streak to 14 consecutive matches, with nine wins and five draws during that run, excluding penalty shootout defeats.

No nation has ever produced a longer unbeaten sequence in World Cup history.

Ronald Koeman’s side have also been ruthlessly efficient in front of goal during the tournament, converting seven of their 20 shots so far, their best scoring rate at a World Cup since 1966.

Despite their attacking strength, defensive concerns remain a minor issue for the Dutch after conceding in each of their last six matches across all competitions.

Historically, the Netherlands have enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture. The Dutch are unbeaten in three previous meetings with Tunisia, recording one win and two draws, while they have never lost a World Cup match against African opposition.

Tunisia, on the other hand, have won only one of their 13 World Cup encounters against European teams.

Tunisia’s possible starting lineup: Dahmen; Valery, Rekik, Talbi, Ali Abdi; Skhiri; Slimane, Hannibal; Chaouat, Saad, Mastouri.

Netherlands possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Van de Ven; De Jong, Reijnders, Gravenberch; Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo.

The match between Tunisia and the Netherlands will take place on Thursday, June 25, with kick-off scheduled for 23:00 GMT.

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