Infantino Recalls Tunisia’s Historic World Cup Legacy Ahead of 2026 Tournament

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published June 3, 2026

Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتساب

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has sent a message of support to Tunisia ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026, recalling the country’s historic place in the tournament as the first Arab and African national team to win a match at the World Cup.

In comments reported by Tunisian and Arab sports outlets, Infantino said Tunisia will carry a rich legacy to the world stage, wishing the team success in its effort to inspire the world and make history again as the countdown continues to the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The historic reference goes back to the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, when Tunisia defeated Mexico 3-1. That result made Tunisia the first African and Arab team to win a World Cup match. Although Tunisia left the tournament in the first round, that performance helped strengthen African football’s place on the global stage.

Tunisia is preparing for its seventh World Cup appearance, after competing in 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018 and 2022, before qualifying again for the 2026 edition. FIFA’s official website published Infantino’s congratulations to Tunisia in September 2025 after qualification, noting that the 2026 tournament would be the country’s third consecutive World Cup and seventh overall.

Tunisia will play in Group F at the 2026 World Cup alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden. FIFA’s final draw mapped the 48 qualified teams into 12 groups for the largest edition of the tournament in history.

Infantino’s message carries symbolic value for Tunisia and its supporters. It places the Carthage Eagles not only among the teams preparing for the next World Cup, but also within the deeper history of the competition as a side that opened an important door for Arab and African football.

For Tunisia, the 2026 challenge will go beyond participation. In a demanding group with experienced opponents, the team will be looking for a strong performance and a chance to write a new chapter in its World Cup story.