Sweden national team and Tunisia national football team open their Group F campaigns at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they meet at Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe in the early hours of Monday.
Both sides will view this as a crucial opportunity to make a strong start in a group that also contains the Netherlands and Japan, with a positive result potentially shaping their hopes of reaching the knockout stage.
Match Preview
Sweden return to the World Cup for the 13th time, although their route to the tournament was unconventional. After struggling through qualifying, they eventually secured their place via the playoffs, where Viktor Gyökeres starred with a decisive run of goals, including a hat-trick against Ukraine and a dramatic winner against Poland.
Under head coach Graham Potter, Sweden arrive with questions over their defensive stability. They have conceded in 11 consecutive matches, but they have also scored in each of their last six, reflecting a team capable of both creating chances and leaving space at the back.
Tunisia, meanwhile, qualified in impressive fashion. The Eagles of Carthage dominated their CAF group, winning nine of their 10 matches and conceding no goals during the qualifying campaign.
However, their recent form has been less convincing. They exited the Africa Cup of Nations in the round of 16 and have struggled in warm-up fixtures, including defeats to Austria and Belgium. Tunisia have also found goals hard to come by, failing to score in three consecutive matches.
Despite those concerns, Tunisia remain a disciplined and experienced tournament side and will hope their defensive structure can frustrate Sweden’s attacking duo.
Recent Form
Sweden (all competitions)
L – D – W – W – L – D
Tunisia (all competitions)
D – L – W – D – L – L
Team News
Sweden have no major injury concerns, although Gabriel Gudmundsson is battling illness and faces a late fitness test. Potter is expected to use a back three led by Victor Lindelöf, with Gyökeres and Alexander Isak forming a dangerous strike partnership.
Tunisia are expected to have a fully fit squad available. Midfielder Hannibal Mejbri could return to the starting lineup after recent rotation, while Rani Khedira adds experience and balance in midfield.
Predicted Lineups
Sweden
Nordfeldt; Hien, Lindelöf, Lagerbielke; Bernhardsson, Karlström, Ayari, Gudmundsson; Nygren; Gyökeres, Isak
Tunisia
Chamakh; Valery, Rekik, Talbi, Ali Abdi; Skhiri, Khedira; Achouri, Hannibal, Gharbi; Chaouat
Prediction
This has the makings of a tight contest between two evenly matched sides. Tunisia’s defensive organisation should make them difficult to break down, but Sweden’s attacking quality — particularly the partnership of Gyökeres and Isak — gives them an edge.
Prediction: Sweden 2-1 Tunisia
Sweden’s superior firepower may prove decisive in a closely fought Group F opener.
