Key Facts
- After a 0-4 loss to Japan, Tunisia sits at the bottom of the standings with no points, while the Netherlands, with four points, is aiming to win the group and secure control.
- Tunisia managed only two attempts on goal against Japan; their recent heavy defeats highlight structural problems and a vulnerability in the second halves.
- In the 5–1 win over Sweden, Brian Brobbey’s early brace transformed the offense, while Cody Gakpo dominated with two goals and two assists.
- Quinten Timber is out with a concussion, so Mats Wieffer is expected to step in as his replacement in the Dutch midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong.
- Over 2.5 goals at 1.51 is based on Tunisia’s defensive lapses and the Dutch resurgence led by Gakpo and Brobbey.
- Both teams to score: “No” at 1.55 seems plausible, as Tunisia has scored only once in five games and Japan has not allowed a single shot on goal.
The visa issues surrounding Tunisia’s onward travel to Kansas City have made a tournament—which, from a sporting perspective, is already all but a lost cause—even more unpleasant. Hervé Renard’s team will face the Netherlands in Group F of the World Cup at Arrowhead Stadium on Thursday night into Friday, four days after their 0–4 loss to Japan sealed their elimination. Tunisia sits at the bottom of the standings with no points, while Ronald Koeman’s team is chasing first place. The Dutch are coming off a 5-1 win over Sweden five days ago—a performance that turned a decent start following their 2-2 draw with Japan into a much more convincing one. They are tied with Japan at four points but lead the group.
- Venue: Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City
- Date and Time: June 26, 2026, 1:00 a.m.
- Competition: World Cup (Group Stage – 3)
Since the betting market rates the Netherlands as the overwhelming favorite, the focus is more on goals and the pace of the game than on the away odds of 1.1. The over 2.5 goals bet is supported by Tunisia’s defensive struggles and the resurgence of Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey, while the “Both Teams to Score” bet: No reflects Tunisia’s lackluster offense.
Tunisia Form & Record Check
The 0-4 loss to Japan was painful for the standings and even more concerning in the way it exposed Tunisia’s structural weaknesses. Reports from Monterrey noted only two attempts and no shots on goal, which matched the visual impression of a team that could neither press with conviction nor build up play cleanly. Renard made some substitutions after halftime, but by then the game had already clearly gone in the wrong direction. Across all competitions, the longer run of results is bleak:
The 1–5 World Cup loss to Sweden was followed by friendly defeats of 0–5 in Belgium and 0–1 in Austria; only a 0–0 draw against Canada interrupted the downward spiral. The team looked particularly vulnerable in the second halves, and Hannibal, Elias Saad, and Firas Chaouat may be called upon to bring more bite between the lines.
Tunisia could line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Aymen Dahmen – 16 expected to start in goal behind Dylan Bronn – 6, Montassar Talbi – 3, and Omar Rekik – 4. With no injuries reported, Hervé Renard is likely to rely on Ellyes Skhiri – 17 and Anis Ben Slimane – 25 in the center, while Hannibal – 10 and Elias Saad – 8 support Sebastian Tounekti – 26.
Netherlands Form & Record Check
The Netherlands looked like a different team in their 5-1 win over Sweden, mainly because Brian Brobbey provided a clear focal point for the attack and Cody Gakpo found space with real authority. Crysencio Summerville then added goal-scoring threat off the bench, underscoring Koeman’s depth on the wings. After the 2-2 draw against Japan, this felt like a sharper, better-balanced version of the Dutch team. Their record across all competitions is still far from flawless; a 2-1 win over Uzbekistan, a 0-1 loss to Algeria, and a 1-1 draw against Ecuador revealed the occasional wobble before they found their tournament rhythm. In addition, they’ve conceded goals in five consecutive games, so control is an issue. Quinten Timber is listed as questionable due to a concussion, and his return is uncertain, which is likely to affect Koeman’s plans in midfield.
The Netherlands are expected to line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with Bart Verbruggen – 1 in goal and a defensive line likely built around Denzel Dumfries – 22, Jan Paul van Hecke – 6, Virgil van Dijk – 4, and Micky van de Ven – 15. This is a prediction, not a confirmed starting lineup. Virgil van Dijk – 4 is still being closely monitored, with Nathan Aké ready to step in as a backup. In midfield, Quinten Timber – 26 is listed as out due to a concussion, so Mats Wieffer looks set to be the expected replacement alongside Frenkie de Jong – 21 and Tijjani Reijnders – 14. Frenkie de Jong – 21 also needs to be monitored following a collision in training; Ryan Gravenberch would likely be the obvious backup. Cody Gakpo – 11 and Brian Brobbey – 19 are expected to start, while Lutsharel Geertruida continued training after his scare.
Tunisia vs. Netherlands Head-to-Head & Statistics
There are no previous head-to-head matches between these two teams.
