Australia’s second match of the group stage at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ involves a meeting with Tunisia on Saturday, 26 November (9:00pm AEDT).
We examine the North African outfit and why they cannot afford to be underestimated.
READ MORE: FIFA World Cup Opposition Spotlight: France
READ MORE: FIFA World Cup Opposition Spotlight: Denmark
Current FIFA Ranking: 30
FIFA World Cup Appearances: 6 (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)
FIFA World Cup Finals
Most Games: Kaies Ghodhbane, Riadh Bouazizi – 8
Most Goals: Wahbi Khazri – 2
FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualification Record
Played: 8
Wins: 5
Draws: 2
Losses: 1
Goals scored: 12
Goals conceded: 2
Tunisia topped their group in qualification with 13 points, ahead of Equatorial Guinea, Zambia and Mauritania to advance to the third round. There they would face Mali over two legs for a place in the World Cup finals. It proved a tight contest with the Eagles of Carthage prevailing 1-0 on aggregate thanks to an own goal away from home.
Key players
Attacking midfielder and forward Wahbi Khazri is arguably Tunisia’s most dangerous player. The former Sunderland and Saint-Etienne man possesses an impressive record for his country, netting 24 goals in 71 caps and incidentally scored twice at the previous World Cup in Russia. Captain Youssef Msakni is also one to watch, boasting ample international experience with 87 appearances and 17 goals as a winger.
Hannibal Mejbri is also highly regarded and currently plies his trade at Birmingham City on loan from Manchester United, while in defence centre-backs Dylan Bronn and Montassar Talbi of Salernitana and Lorient respectively provide solid defensive cover.
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Head Coach
Jalel Kadri has been in charge since the beginning of the year after serving as an assistant for the second time before taking the reins following Tunisia’s quarter final exit in the African Cup of Nations. Since then, the 50-year-old has only suffered one defeat, occurring most recently in a 5-1 September friendly loss to Brazil in Paris. He helped book Tunisia’s second consecutive appearance at the World Cup and sixth overall and won the Kirin Cup after triumphs over Chile and Japan.
Previous Meeting
The last time Tunisia and Australia met was at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2005. The Tunisians secured a 2-0 win thanks to a brace from Francileudo Santos.
Opta Facts
- This will be Tunisia's sixth appearance at the FIFA World Cup, but they never have progressed past the group stage.
- Tunisia have lost 60% of their FIFA World Cup games (9/15), the third highest percentage by a team to have played at least 15 games in the competition, behind only Saudi Arabia (69% - 11/16) and Australia (63% - 10/16).
- Tunisia have played the games against European opponents in the FIFA World Cup of any side without winning once (D3 L7). Indeed, each of their last four defeats in the competition were against teams from Europe (Spain and Ukraine in 2006, England and Belgium in 2018).
- Tunisia have failed to keep a clean sheet in 14 of their 15 games at the FIFA World Cup (25 goals conceded), the only exception coming against Germany in 1978 (0-0).
- Tunisia were the first African nation to win a match at the FIFA World Cup, beating Mexico 3-1 in their opening game in 1978.
- Wahbi Khazri has been directly involved in each of Tunisia’s last four goals at the FIFA World Cup (2 goals, 2 assists).
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ - Australia's Group D Matches
France v Australia
Date: Wednesday, 23 November 2022
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Kick-off: 6:00am (AEDT)
Watch: Live and Free on SBS and SBS On Demand
Tunisia v Australia
Date: Saturday, 26 November 2022
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Kick-off: 9:00pm (AEDT)
Watch: Live and Free on SBS and SBS On Demand
Australia v Denmark
Date: Thursday, 1 December 2022
Venue: Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah
Kick-off: 2:00am (AEDT)
Watch: Live and Free on SBS and SBS On Demand