Carthage Magazine

Tunisia close their World Cup 2026 in Kansas City with nothing left to play for but pride. Eliminated after defeats to Sweden and Japan, Hervé Renard’s side face a Netherlands team chasing top spot in Group F — a toughest-possible final exam that no longer carries any stakes for the Eagles of Carthage. What was billed before the tournament as a potential shot at history has instead become a dead rubber. Tunisia arrive at their final group game already out, their record of never advancing beyond the group stage extended to a seventh World Cup. For the Netherlands — a nation that has reached three World Cup finals without ever lifting the trophy — this is a chance to seal first place in a balanced Group F and line up a favourable knockout draw. What is at stake For Tunisia, the honest answer is: very little in the standings, but plenty for the mood of the camp. With elimination confirmed, the match becomes Renard’s second game in charge and his first real chance to experiment without the weight of results — a free hit against elite opposition, and an opportunity to leave the tournament with a performance that hints at better days. After conceding nine goals in two games, simply competing for ninety minutes would count as progress. For the Netherlands, the stakes are real. Ronald Koeman’s side sit level on points and goal difference with Japan and lead the group only on goals scored. A positive result against Tunisia would lock up top spot and the seeding advantage that comes with it. Group F as it stands (after Matchday 2) TeamPlayedPointsGoal differenceNetherlands24+4Japan24+4Sweden230Tunisia20−8 Tunisia are bottom and eliminated; full detail in our guide to whether Tunisia could still reach the last 16. The Netherlands: Group F’s heavyweights Koeman’s Netherlands arrived in North America unbeaten through qualifying and with arguably the deepest squad in the group, and they underlined it on Matchday 2 with a commanding 5-1 win over Sweden — Brian Brobbey and Cody Gakpo each scoring twice. The spine is formidable: Virgil van Dijk marshals the defence, Frenkie de Jong and Tijjani Reijnders control midfield, and the attack runs through the pace and finishing of Gakpo and Xavi Simons. Their opening 2-2 draw with Japan hinted at occasional defensive vulnerability, but on current form few teams in the tournament can match their quality. The challenge for Tunisia is familiar, and now without reward. Against Sweden, an organised defensive plan unravelled through individual errors; against Japan, the same fragility resurfaced. Tunisia will likely sit deep, stay compact and look to frustrate — the approach that carried them through qualifying without conceding a goal — and try to spring something on the counter or from a set piece, if only for pride. Tunisia vs Netherlands head-to-head There is almost no history between these two nations. They have met only once at senior level, a 1-1 friendly back in February 2009. That means there is no recent competitive form line to lean on — this is, for all practical purposes, a first meeting on the biggest stage, and one Tunisia enter with nothing to lose. Team news and what to watch Hervé Renard had the Japan game to assess his squad, and this fixture offers him room to look at players who have not yet featured. Captain Ellyes Skhiri anchors the midfield and Hannibal Mejbri remains the most likely source of creativity, but with qualification gone, the bigger interest is whether Renard hands minutes to fresher options and begins shaping the side he wants beyond the tournament. The back line, twice exposed already, will need its most disciplined night against Dutch movement. This section will be updated with confirmed team news once the lineups are announced. How to watch Tunisia vs Netherlands Kick-off is 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 25 — that is 6 p.m. local time in Kansas City, midnight in Tunis (early Friday) and 8 a.m. on Friday in Tokyo. In the United States the match is on Fox in English, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo; viewers elsewhere should check their local World Cup rights-holder. The game kicks off at the same time as Japan vs Sweden in Dallas, the result of which will decide who finishes above the Dutch if Tunisia spring a surprise. Tunisia vs Netherlands: quick facts Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026, Group F (final group fixture) Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, USA Date & kick-off: Thursday 25 June 2026, 7 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. local / midnight Tunis Tunisia status: Eliminated — bottom of Group F on zero points Tunisia coach: Hervé Renard Netherlands coach: Ronald Koeman Head-to-head: One previous meeting — a 1-1 friendly in 2009 US TV: Fox (English); Telemundo (Spanish) Played simultaneously with: Japan vs Sweden (Dallas) Frequently asked questions When is Tunisia vs Netherlands? Thursday 25 June 2026, kicking off at 7 p.m. ET (midnight in Tunis) at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, USA. What TV channel is Tunisia vs Netherlands on? In the United States it is on Fox in English and Telemundo in Spanish. Viewers in other countries should check their local World Cup broadcaster. Do Tunisia still have anything to play for? Not in terms of qualification. Tunisia were eliminated after losing their first two games to Sweden and Japan, so this final fixture is a dead rubber — a chance to play for pride and for Hervé Renard to assess his squad. Have Tunisia ever played the Netherlands before? Only once at senior level — a 1-1 friendly in February 2009. This is their first competitive meeting. Have Tunisia ever reached the World Cup knockout rounds? No. Across seven appearances Tunisia have never progressed beyond the group stage. You can read their full story in our complete history of Tunisia at the World Cup. Editor’s note: This preview was updated on June 21, 2026 after Tunisia’s elimination was confirmed by their 4-0 defeat to Japan. It will be updated again with confirmed team news and lineups closer to kick-off.

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