Tunisia

Tunisia returns to the World Cup for the seventh time as one of Africa's most consistent qualifiers, yet the Eagles of Carthage carry the burden of never having escaped the group stage in any of their six previous appearances. That record is a source of immense frustration for a nation that has produced talented players and has a proud footballing culture. The 2026 tournament represents yet another opportunity to break through that glass ceiling. The current generation is solid rather than spectacular. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane has emerged as the creative fulcrum of the team, a technically gifted midfielder capable of controlling tempo and delivering in the final third. Youssef Msakni remains a dangerous attacker despite being in the twilight of his career, while Elias Achouri provides energy and directness from wide positions. The ELO of 1636 and FIFA ranking of 44 suggest a team that is competitive within Africa but faces a significant step up in class at the World Cup. Tunisia's prospects in Group F are daunting. Drawn alongside the Netherlands and an in-form Japan side, they face an uphill battle just to compete for second or third place in the group. Their best hope lies in defensive discipline and counter-attacking quality, combined with the unpredictable nature of tournament football. For bracket purposes, Tunisia is a risky pick -- their World Cup history suggests they will compete hard but ultimately fall short, and the quality gap to the group favorites is significant.