Tunisia has joined Morocco as the second African country that will qualify directly for next year’s World Cup in North America.
Released on September 9, 2025
Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane scored in additional time to give Tunisia a 1-0 victory in Equatorial Guinea and qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America.
Monday night’s away victory gave Tunisia an unattackable lead in Group H, becoming the second African nation to secure its place in the tournament after 2022 semi-finalist Morocco.
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Tunisia has 22 points from eight games, 10 more points than second-placed Namibia. He holds one match in his hand, but cannot match the Carthage Eagles total.
Egyptian and African giant Al-Ali midfielder Ben Romdane was hit 94 minutes after being set up by Firas Chaouat.
He also scored the only goal from the penalty when Tunisia defeated Equatorial Guinea in match three last year.
“When Firas Chaouat received the ball in his final moments, I knew he would make Equatorial Guinea better,” Ben Romdhane told Tunisian television.
“So I was in a good position to move forward and score,” said the 26-year-old, joining Al Ahly from the Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros this year.
“It was the toughest game of the qualifiers, and given the conditions, pitch and humidity, we were expecting it,” midfielder Ferjani Sassi said.
“We knew how to adapt to the situation. They had many opportunities, but they were ready. We trusted ourselves until the very end.”
Tunisia has started matches in Malabor with players based in nine countries, including Premier League side Burnley’s Hannibal Mabri.
The Eagles are coached by former centre back Samitravelsi, who captained Tunisia at the 1998 World Cup in France.
Tunisia currently qualifies seven World Cups, improving its record of three wins in 18 matches and will not advance beyond the first round.
Africa has nine guaranteed locations in the 48-country World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico, and the number of qualifying rounds could rise to 10 after the InterContinental Playoffs in March.
