2026 World Cup: Tunisia vs. Netherlands—Probable Lineups

At Arrowhead Stadium, the curtain falls on the first phase of Group F. At 1 a.m. Italian time on Friday morning, coinciding with the heated head-to-head match between Japan and Sweden, the Netherlands takes the field with a very clear goal: to secure the top spot in the group. Facing them is a Tunisia team that has already been mathematically eliminated and is mired in a deep crisis.

Tunisia’s World Cup has turned into a true sporting nightmare. After suffering a crushing 5-0 defeat in their opener against Sweden, the federation made a drastic decision, firing head coach Sabri Lamouchi midway through the tournament. Hervé Renard was hastily brought in to replace him, but he was unable to turn things around: the subsequent 4-0 loss to Japan sealed the Africans’ mathematical elimination, leaving them in last place with zero points and still without a single goal scored.

For this final match against one of the tournament’s powerhouses, Renard is expected to stick with the lineup used against Japan in an effort to at least put in a spirited performance. Dahmen will be in goal, protected by the central defensive pairing of Talbi and Rekik, while Valery and Ali Abdi will play as fullbacks. In midfield, the talented Hannibal Mejbri will start alongside Skhiri and Slimane. Up front, hopes rest on the attacking trio of Chaouat, Saad, and Mastouri.

The Orange head into this match on a roll and with qualification already secured, but with no intention of taking it easy. After a 2-2 draw in their opener against Japan, Ronald Koeman’s team literally wowed the critics by crushing Sweden 5-1. It was a show of strength fueled by Dumfries’ play (two assists) and an offense that appeared to be in absolute top form. A win against Tunisia would secure first place, guaranteeing a theoretically easier matchup in the Round of 16.

The Dutch coach does not seem inclined to make major changes to the starting lineup that crushed the Swedes. In front of Verbruggen, the central defensive pairing will be led by captain Virgil van Dijk alongside Van Hecke, with Dumfries and Van de Ven on the flanks. In midfield, Frenkie de Jong’s playmaking will be supported by the dynamism of Reijnders and Gravenberch. The attacking trio, meanwhile, will once again feature Malen and Gakpo on the wings supporting center forward Brobbey, who was the star of the show against Japan with a brace.

Probable Lineups

TUNISIA (4-3-3): Dahmen; Valery, Rekik, Talbi, Ali Abdi; Skhiri; Slimane, Hannibal; Chaouat, Saad, Mastouri. Head Coach: Renard.

NETHERLANDS (4-3-3): Verbruggen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Van Hecke, Van de Ven; De Jong, Reijnders, Gravenberch; Malen, Brobbey, Gakpo. Head Coach: Koeman