World Cup 2026: Experts assess Tunisia's chances amid hope and concerns

Tunisian football experts are assessing the national team's prospects for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Former national coach Youssef Zouaoui believes qualification for the second round is "within reach for the Eagles of Carthage," identifying the opening match against Sweden as key to advancing.

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seems to be within reach for the Eagles of Carthage

Zouaoui considers the current Tunisian squad more manageable than the one that faced Denmark, Australia, and defending champions France in the 2022 World Cup. He stressed the importance of at least avoiding defeat against Sweden if a win is not possible. For subsequent matches against Japan and the Netherlands, Zouaoui advocates for a pragmatic and disciplined tactical strategy.

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if we don't win against Sweden, we must at least avoid defeat

He highlighted the need to leverage the team's defensive rigor, often earning Tunisia the nickname "the Italy of Africa," while also exploiting counter-attack opportunities. Zouaoui cautioned against deviating from this realistic tactical style for an overly offensive approach, especially against technically skilled European league players. He emphasized the necessity of meticulous analysis of each opponent's strengths and weaknesses, alongside optimal management of defensive and offensive phases.

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The Tunisian national team has the necessary assets to achieve positive results against Japan and the Netherlands, provided it relies on a well-organized defense, reduces spaces, and effectively exploits counter-attacks.

Recent friendly matches have exposed weaknesses, including players' difficulty in assimilating the coach's instructions and issues with game tempo management. Interim coach Jalel Kadri, with only three months in charge, faces challenges in these areas. Mourad Okbi, another coach and former international player, pointed to defensive frailties, citing six goals conceded in two recent friendlies as evidence of individual errors. He also called for enhanced psychological support for the players heading into the tournament.

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conceding six goals in the last two friendly matches highlighted the extent of individual errors committed in defense.