Tunisia faces Sweden in World Cup 2026 opening match

Tunisia will open the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Sweden at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, with kickoff scheduled for the early hours of Monday (4 a.m. French time, 3 a.m. Tunisian time). Coach Sabri Lamouchi, who took over after Sami Trabelsi, is expected to field play‑maker Hannibal Mejbri in a 4‑2‑3‑1 or 4‑4‑1‑1 formation, with options on the defensive line and wings.

Tunisia qualified for the tournament unbeaten, topping CAF Group H with 22 points and securing their ticket in September 2025 after a last‑minute win over Equatorial Guinea. Sweden earned its place via the playoffs, beating Ukraine in the semi‑final and Poland 3‑2 in the final after missing direct qualification. The match forms part of Group F and is anticipated to be tightly contested.