Tunisia vs Netherlands prediction. Eliminated Tunisia face a rotated Netherlands at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City on Friday, 26 June 2026 (01:00 SAST (Friday, 26 June 2026)). The Dutch are through and need only a draw to confirm Group F top spot. Tunisia conceded nine goals in two matches. Brobbey leads; Gakpo and De Jong retained. Our prediction: Netherlands to win. Full analysis, team news, line-ups and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group F, Match Day 3 |
| Date & kick-off | Friday, 26 June 2026 at 01:00 SAST (Friday, 26 June 2026) |
| Venue | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, USA |
| Group F standings | After Match Day 2: Netherlands 4pts, Japan 4pts, Sweden 3pts, Tunisia 0pts (eliminated) |
| Stakes | Tunisia: pride only. Netherlands: a draw secures top spot; a win guarantees it whatever Japan do vs Sweden. |
| Simultaneous match | Japan vs Sweden kicks off at the same time — Netherlands will be monitoring that result. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Netherlands’ final group audition vs Tunisia’s farewell
Netherlands’ 5-1 demolition of Sweden confirmed them as a genuine knockout-round contender and wiped away the bitter memories of their 2-2 draw with Japan in the opener. Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey were the driving forces in that Sweden win, and their partnership gives Ronald Koeman significant attacking depth even with rotation.
Koeman uses this match to balance squad fitness with the goal difference motivation of staying ahead of Japan if they end level on points. The XI shows calculated changes: Bart Verbruggen replaces Flekken in goal; Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven come in at centre-back and left-back. Frenkie de Jong, Ryan Gravenberch, and Tijjani Reijnders anchor the midfield. Memphis Depay is expected on the bench, ready to impact if needed.
Tunisia’s campaign has been a painful experience. Nine goals conceded and only one scored across two matches tells the story. Coach Hervé Renard — brought in on an emergency basis after the 5-1 Sweden defeat — has had minimal time to implement any meaningful tactical changes. Ellyes Skhiri and Hannibal Mejbri (Manchester United) hold down the midfield. Teen striker Rayan Elloumi may earn a rare start given the lack of qualification pressure. The Tunisian camp will want to leave the tournament with at least a moment to remember.
Team news and expected line-ups
Tunisia: Skhiri and Mejbri in midfield. Elloumi may start (teen striker, nothing to lose). Unchanged starting framework under Renard.
Netherlands: Verbruggen in goal. Van Hecke and Van de Ven in defence. De Jong and Gravenberch retained. Brobbey leads alongside Gakpo and Malen
| Tunisia (4-3-3) | Netherlands (4-3-3) |
| Dahmen (GK) | Verbruggen (GK) |
| Kechrida (RB) | Dumfries (RB) |
| M. Talbi (CB) | Van Hecke (CB) |
| Meriah (CB) | Van Dijk (CB) |
| Abdi (LB) | Van de Ven (LB) |
| Skhiri (DM) | De Jong (DM) |
| Laïdouni (CM) | Gravenberch (DM) |
| Mejbri (CM) | Reijnders (CM) |
| Achouri (RW) | Malen (RW) |
| Ltaief (AM) | Brobbey (ST) |
| Elloumi/Jaziri (ST) | Gakpo (LW) |
Key stats
- Tunisia: 0pts from 2 matches. Lost Sweden 1-5 (MD1), lost Japan 0-4 (MD2). Eliminated.
- Tunisia: conceded 9 goals in two matches. Scored just 1 (Mbaye vs France — wait, that’s Group I; Tunisia: Hannibal Mejbri was their creative chance in Group F).
- Tunisia form (last 5): L D L L L — four consecutive losses.
- Hervé Renard: emergency coach appointment after Sweden defeat.
- Ellyes Skhiri: midfield anchor for Tunisia.
- Hannibal Mejbri (Manchester United): Tunisia’s most technically capable player.
- Rayan Elloumi: teen striker who may start for Tunisia in this farewell match.
- Netherlands: 4pts from 2 matches. Drew Japan 2-2 (MD1), beat Sweden 5-1 (MD2).
- Netherlands form (last 5): W W D D W — strong but inconsistent.
- Cody Gakpo: scored in the Sweden win. Expected to start.
- Brian Brobbey: leads the attack in rotation. Scored vs Sweden.
- Frenkie de Jong and Gravenberch: midfield quality retained despite rotation.
- H2H: Tunisia 1-1 Netherlands (February 2009, Friendly). Only previous meeting.
- Group F standings (after MD2): Netherlands 4pts, Japan 4pts, Sweden 3pts, Tunisia 0pts.
Head-to-head
Tunisia and the Netherlands have met only once previously: a 1-1 draw in an international friendly in February 2009. This World Cup Group F match is the first ever competitive fixture between the two nations.
| Date | Result |
| February 2009 | Tunisia 1–1 Netherlands (International Friendly) |
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC) |
| Tunisia | L D L L L — 9 goals conceded, 1 scored in this tournament |
| Netherlands | W W D D W — qualified; beat Sweden 5-1 in their last match |
Our prediction
Netherlands are overwhelming favourites. Even with rotation, the quality of Gakpo, Brobbey, De Jong, and Gravenberch is far beyond what Tunisia have faced so far in this tournament — and Sweden and Japan were already too much for them. Tunisia have conceded nine goals in 180 minutes.
Goal difference may be a significant motivator for the Dutch if they end equal with Japan. Koeman will be aware that a convincing win here could matter in the final standings. Expect Netherlands to score freely, even against a Tunisia side that simply needs the match to end with some dignity.
Our prediction: Netherlands to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 0100Hrs UTC on 26/06/2026.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Tunisia vs Netherlands event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Tunisia vs Netherlands kick off?
Kick-off is at 01:00 SAST (Friday, 26 June 2026) on Friday, 26 June 2026, at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri, USA.
Are Tunisia already eliminated from World Cup 2026?
Yes. Tunisia were eliminated after their 4-0 defeat to Japan on Match Day 2, having already lost 5-1 to Sweden on Match Day 1. This final group match is for pride only.
Do the Netherlands need to win to qualify?
No. The Netherlands have already qualified for the Round of 32. A draw would secure Group F top spot. A win guarantees first place regardless of the Japan vs Sweden result.
Is Memphis Depay playing for Netherlands vs Tunisia?
Depay is expected on the bench for this match as Koeman rotates the squad with qualification secured. Brian Brobbey leads the attack alongside Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen.
What group are Tunisia and Netherlands in at World Cup 2026?
Both sides are in Group F alongside Japan and Sweden. After Match Day 2, the Netherlands and Japan are level on four points. Sweden are on three and Tunisia have been eliminated with zero.
READ ALSO: Japan vs Sweden Prediction.