Tunisia Eyes World Cup Knockout Stage in Crucial Opener Against Sweden

With the new tournament format adopted, advancing to the second round is less demanding. A victory against Sweden will open the doors to the round of 16. Mejbri and his teammates are warned and know what they need to do.

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if in a format with 12 groups, where 8 of the 12 third-placed teams advance to the round of 16, our national team does not pass, it means it does not deserve it and is far from the mark.

In this type of presentation for a World Cup opener, the same classic formulas and ideas return every four years. The national team has an appointment with history, carries the hopes of millions of Tunisians, must approach the competition well, and show courage and technical skill to succeed. The players and their coach know this well, and it has been said and repeated for years without them being able to finally pass the World Cup's second round. The objective is precisely that and nothing else: if in a format with 12 groups, where 8 of the 12 third-placed teams advance to the round of 16, our national team does not pass, it means it does not deserve it and is far from the mark.

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Can we find a way to surprise Sweden? In football, nothing is impossible, and for the national team, it is achievable.

We will be told that our group is difficult compared to others, but at the same time, Japan and Sweden, for example, are not unbeatable. In 2022, we achieved a valuable draw against Denmark in the first match before faltering against Australia. This year, we play Sweden, a team with strong football traditions, and a respectable opponent despite qualifying through the playoffs at the last minute. Moreover, it is the first match; approaching it correctly is a matter of physical presence, technique, and also mentality. The impression we leave after this match is fundamental for the rest of our journey, whether we like it or not.

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The Tunisian team is often an unpredictable side that likes to play under pressure and emerges when no one expects it.

Can we find a way to surprise Sweden? In football, nothing is impossible, and for the national team, it is achievable. The Tunisian team is often an unpredictable side that likes to play under pressure and emerges when no one expects it. When challenged, when criticized, and even doubted, the national team can suddenly succeed and shine. Currently, after the severe friendly defeat against Belgium, many remain doubtful and fear that Hannibal Mejbri's teammates will falter. But every time they suffer a shock, the team often manages to remobilize and bounce back. That is what we all hope for. The defeat against Belgium created an unhealthy atmosphere around the selection. Many rumors, not very friendly stories about the locker room and player relationships dominated the discussions. And Sabri Lamouchi has lost credibility and authority among supporters. Tomorrow morning, Lamouchi, who has tried to change and innovate his team since his arrival, will have a sacred and sensitive role in finding the energy and ideas for the game, and, of course, the players in the hope of unsettling Sweden. Knowing the capabilities of his squad now, will he change his lineup compared to the last match against Belgium?

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Currently, after the severe friendly defeat against Belgium, many remain doubtful and fear that Hannibal Mejbri's teammates will falter.