Faith Nyasuguta
Tunisia (pictured) have officially punched their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, remaining unbeaten in qualifiers and becoming the second African nation – after Morocco – to secure their place in the North American tournament.
A dramatic 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Malabo secured top spot in Group H. The winning goal came in the 94th minute, courtesy of midfielder Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, who was brilliantly set up by substitute Firas Chaouat. The last-gasp strike sent Tunisian players and traveling supporters into wild celebration, sealing their qualification in style.
With this win, Tunisia accumulated 22 points from eight games, placing them 10 points clear of second-placed Namibia, who still had a match in hand. Notably, the Carthage Eagles have not conceded a single goal throughout their qualifying campaign, underlining their defensive resilience and tactical discipline.
This achievement marks Tunisia’s seventh World Cup appearance – after tournaments in 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022 – and their third consecutive qualification. The milestone reflects the country’s growing consistency and determination to maintain its place among Africa’s footballing heavyweights.
The upcoming 2026 World Cup, set to take place from June 11 to July 19, will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and will feature an expanded roster of 48 teams, the largest in tournament history. This new format gives African nations more representation and heightens hopes for deeper runs on the world stage.
Tunisia’s qualification was confirmed with two games to spare, showing their dominance in Group H. Their ability to grind out results and deliver under pressure has been central to their campaign. With their strong defensive record and clutch performances, Tunisia now looks like a team ready to take the next step.
Despite their history of falling short in the group stages, particularly in the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, Tunisia enters the 2026 edition with renewed confidence and a more experienced squad. For the Carthage Eagles, the goal will be not just to participate but to make history by progressing beyond the group stage for the first time.
As the countdown begins, Tunisia stands tall as one of Africa’s most consistent and promising teams, aiming to shine on football’s biggest stage.
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