Quick take: Tunisia arrive at this fixture already eliminated — playing for pride after a disastrous group campaign — while the Netherlands enter Kansas City as one of the tournament’s most in-form sides, chasing a big victory to potentially pip Japan to top spot in Group F. With Oranje’s attacking trio of Gakpo, Brobbey, and Summerville firing on all cylinders, this could be a very long evening for the Eagles of Carthage.
Match Details — Tunisia vs Netherlands
Match: Tunisia vs Netherlands Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group F Date: Thursday, 25 June 2026 Time: 23:00 BST / 19:00 ET / 00:00 IST (Friday) / Local: 7:00 PM CT (Kansas City) Venue: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Stadium), Kansas City, Missouri
FIFA World Cup 2026 Live Streaming Info
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, running from 11 June to 19 July 2026, featuring 48 teams across 104 matches.
Live Streaming Info:
Will be live on Bein Sports 5
Live Score Info:
FIFA World Cup 2026: All matches on FlashScore have live scores.
Live Streaming by Region:
United States: FS1 carries English-language coverage, Telemundo provides Spanish commentary. Live streaming is available via Fubo TV. Additional paid options include YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, and DirecTV Stream.
UK & Ireland: BBC and BBC iPlayer stream all Group F matches completely free. No subscription required — just a valid TV licence.
Australia: SBS On Demand carries all 104 matches completely free with no login required.
Canada: TSN airs all matches, with CTV covering prime-time games free of charge.
Middle East: BeIN Sports carries live regional coverage.
Live Scores: All matches available on FlashScore with real-time updates.
Group F Standings (Heading Into Matchday 3)
The Netherlands currently control the top of Group F. The Dutch bounced back from an opening-day 2-2 draw against Japan with a dominant 5-1 thrashing of Sweden on Matchday 2. Despite sitting in pole position, they are not entirely safe — depending on the outcome of the parallel fixture between Japan and Sweden, the Netherlands could still drop to second place by the end of the day. For Tunisia, the tournament is effectively over. After suffering back-to-back defeats, tiebreaker rules make it impossible for them to climb out of the basement.
Key Storylines
Netherlands chasing goal difference: The primary objective for the Dutch is clear — finish the group phase as the undisputed leaders. Ronald Koeman’s squad currently controls the top of the table, but they are tied on points with Japan. While both nations share the same goal differential, the Netherlands hold a slight advantage having scored one more goal than Japan. Because of this razor-thin margin, the Dutch will be hunting for a decisive victory to secure the first-place seed heading into the knockout rounds.
Tunisia’s tournament nightmare: Tunisia became just the fourth team to lose consecutive games at a World Cup by four or more goals, joining a hall of shame inhabited by Greece (1994), South Korea (1954), and Bolivia (1930). They failed to register a single shot on target and posted just 0.05 xG in their 4-0 defeat to Japan.
Managerial change mid-tournament: Tunisia’s campaign has been tumultuous — they sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi after the Sweden defeat and hired legendary fellow Frenchman Hervé Renard. Yet even the change in the dugout has not produced the defensive improvement Tunisia desperately needed.
Netherlands’ historic unbeaten run: Outside penalty shootouts, Oranje are unbeaten across 14 World Cup games since losing to Spain in the 2010 final — the longest such streak in World Cup history.
Team Analyses
Tunisia
Recent performances: Tunisia entered the World Cup hoping to challenge for a place in the knockout stage, but the tournament has quickly turned into a disappointing campaign. A heavy defeat in the opening match was followed by another convincing loss on Matchday Two, leaving the Eagles of Carthage without a point and already out of the competition. The coaching change made during the tournament has not delivered the desired response.
Strengths: Captain Ellyes Skhiri and influential playmaker Hannibal Mejbri are expected to anchor the midfield. Mejbri made the most passes into the final third and took part in the most duels against Japan. With nothing left to lose, Tunisia may play with greater freedom and less defensive caution.
Weaknesses: Tunisia have struggled to create chances, while their defence has been unable to cope with the attacking quality of their opponents. Confidence within the squad remains low.
Key players: Hannibal Mejbri — the creative engine who has been Tunisia’s most active player despite the heavy scorelines. Ellyes Skhiri brings leadership and industry in the centre of the park.
Expected tactical approach: New manager Renard will likely set up his side to frustrate the Netherlands as they bow out of the tournament. Expect a deep, compact defensive shape with Tunisia looking to stay organised and perhaps salvage a consolation goal for pride.
Netherlands
Recent performances: A blistering beginning to both halves saw Koeman’s side cruise to an impressive 5-1 win over a Swedish team that had just beaten Tunisia by the same scoreline. Even without Memphis Depay fully fit and firing, they have produced some clinical finishing — a 35% shot conversion ratio is their best at any World Cup since such records began 60 years ago.
Strengths: Ruthless in attack, composed in possession, and psychologically buoyed by the record-breaking unbeaten run. Crysencio Summerville, Cody Gakpo, and Brian Brobbey each have two World Cup goals, with Denzel Dumfries also contributing two assists in the win over Sweden.
Weaknesses: Summerville is listed as doubtful with a head knock, and Memphis Depay is questionable. Rotation may also slightly disrupt the fluidity they have built across two strong performances.
Key players: Skipper Virgil van Dijk continues to be the Dutch defensive pillar. Vastly experienced, the 34-year-old will lead an exciting young squad. Cody Gakpo and Brian Brobbey are the primary attacking threats.
Expected tactical approach: Controlled, possession-based football with quick vertical transitions and sustained pressure in the final third. Koeman will push for an emphatic victory to maximise the goal difference advantage over Japan.
Probable Starting Lineups
Tunisia (4-3-2-1): Aymen Dahmen; Dylan Bronn, Montassar Talbi, Omar Rekik, Ali Abdi; Yan Valery, Ellyes Skhiri, Anis Ben Slimane; Elias Saad, Hannibal Mejbri; Sebastian Tounekti
Netherlands (4-3-3): Bart Verbruggen; Denzel Dumfries, Jan Paul van Hecke, Virgil van Dijk, Micky van de Ven; Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders; Crysencio Summerville, Brian Brobbey, Cody Gakpo
Tactical Battles That Could Decide the Result
Mejbri vs Netherlands’ midfield: Tunisia’s best hope lies in Hannibal Mejbri winning the midfield battle, breaking Dutch rhythm, and launching quick counters. However, Gravenberch, De Jong, and Reijnders represent one of the deepest midfield trios at this World Cup and will be difficult to disrupt.
Netherlands’ front three vs Tunisia’s backline: With seven goals from two games, the Netherlands look good enough to clear an Over 3.5 line on their own. They have three players in fine scoring form, and others itching to contribute in the final third. Tunisia’s centre-backs Talbi and Rekik will face an enormous challenge.
Goal difference race vs Japan: Every goal matters in this fixture. The Netherlands are aiming to clinch first place in Group F — meaning Koeman will push his side to score as many as possible, regardless of the scoreline, with one eye on what is happening in Arlington.
Head-to-Head Record
The only meeting on record between these two sides ended 1-1 in a friendly played on February 11, 2009. With just one match in the dataset, no broader pattern can be drawn from the head-to-head record. History and current form, however, point entirely in one direction.
Players to Watch
Cody Gakpo (Netherlands): Two World Cup goals and growing in confidence with every match. Liverpool’s left winger is one of the most dangerous players in the tournament and will look to add to his tally against an exposed Tunisian defence.
Brian Brobbey (Netherlands): The Sunderland striker should keep his place following his excellent two-goal full World Cup debut in the win over Sweden. His physicality and directness make him a constant menace inside the box.
Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia): The Manchester United-connected midfielder is Tunisia’s most creative force. He made the most passes into the final third and took part in the most duels against Japan — but summing up a goal-shy squad, he has only ever scored once for Tunisia.
Memphis Depay (Netherlands): Depay is pushing for a starting place as one of the most experienced names in the Dutch squad. If he starts, his ability to create and finish could make this a very heavy scoreline indeed.
Team Form, Trends & Stats
The Netherlands have recorded two wins, two draws, and one defeat across their last five matches. Their most recent result was the 2-2 draw with Japan on June 14, a match in which they led twice before conceding a late header. Before that, they beat Uzbekistan 2-1 in a friendly on June 8, and lost 1-0 to Algeria on June 3.
Tunisia, meanwhile, have lost four matches in a row and conceded nine goals in just two World Cup outings — their defensive record has been catastrophic throughout this campaign.
While the Netherlands are three-time World Cup runners-up, Tunisia have accrued just three wins from 20 World Cup matches overall — and have only beaten European opposition at this level once before, famously conquering France at Qatar 2022.
Prediction
Tunisia are out of the competition no matter what happens. Their morale is rock-bottom and, with nothing at stake, there is little reason to expect they will be properly motivated. The Netherlands, by contrast, have every reason to push hard — a large winning margin could decide whether they finish top of the group or not. Expect Koeman’s side to be clinical from the first whistle.
Prediction: Tunisia 0–4 Netherlands — A comfortable Dutch victory as they chase goal difference and send a message to the rest of the tournament ahead of the knockout rounds.