
This is one of the most dramatic qualifying stories of the entire World Cup 2026 schedule, finally reaching the pitch. Sweden finished bottom of their UEFA qualifying group without winning a single game, their coach was sacked, the press turned ugly, and they only survived through the Nations League back door, beating Ukraine 3-1 (with a Viktor Gyรถkeres hat-trick) and Poland 3-2 in the play-offs to scrape into the finals.
Tunisia, by contrast, became the first team in World Cup history to qualify without conceding a single goal, going unbeaten and undefeated through CAF qualifying. But Tunisia have lost their last three warm-up matches without scoring, including a 5-0 thrashing by Belgium, raising real questions about whether their defensive solidity can survive contact with World Cup-level opposition.
Neither side can afford to lose this one. With the Netherlands and Japan also lying in wait in Group F, both teams know their best chance of three points is right here, right now.
Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Sweden vs Tunisia |
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group F |
| Date | Sunday, June 14, 2026 (Monday, June 15 in UK/Europe) |
| Venue | Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe, Monterrey, Mexico |
| Kickoff | 10:00 p.m. EDT | 8:00 p.m. CST | 3:00 a.m. BST |
Tournament Context: World Cup Group F
Group F consists of the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia, widely regarded as one of the most competitive foursomes in the entire competition. The full World Cup Group F schedule:
- June 14: Netherlands vs Japan – Dallas Stadium, Arlington (4:00 p.m. ET / Fox)
- June 14/15: Sweden vs Tunisia – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey (10:00 p.m. ET / FS1)
- June 20: Netherlands vs Sweden – NRG Stadium, Houston (1:00 p.m. ET / Fox)
- June 20: Tunisia vs Japan – Estadio BBVA, Monterrey (12:00 a.m. ET / FS1)
- June 25: Japan vs Sweden – Dallas Stadium, Arlington (7:00 p.m. ET / FS1)
- June 25: Tunisia vs Netherlands – Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (7:00 p.m. ET / Fox)
The top two teams from each of the 12 World Cup groups advance to the new Round of 32, with the eight best third-place finishers also progressing. With group favourites Netherlands and Japan still to come for both sides, this game represents both Sweden and Tunisia’s best chance of picking up three points and advancing to the knockout stage, a feat Tunisia haven’t achieved in seven World Cup appearances, and they’ll be hoping the expanded 48-team format finally opens the door.
Sweden vs Tunisia: Predicted Lineups
🇸🇪 Sweden Predicted XI
Head coach Graham Potter, appointed by the Swedish FA in late 2025 on a short-term deal, has a full-strength squad available for this Group F opener, though one late fitness scare has emerged.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Viktor Johansson | Rangers |
| CB | Isak Hien | Atalanta |
| CB | Victor Lindelรถf (c) | Aston Villa |
| CB | Gustaf Lagerbielke | Celtic |
| RWB | Alexander Bernhardsson | Holstein Kiel |
| CM | Mattias Svanberg | Bologna |
| CM | Jesper Karlstrรถm | Twente |
| LWB | Gabriel Gudmundsson [illness doubt] | Leeds United |
| AM | Anthony Elanga | Newcastle United |
| AM | Alexander Isak | Liverpool |
| ST | Viktor Gyรถkeres | Arsenal |
The Gudmundsson illness scare:
Graham Potter is waiting to learn whether he will have Gabriel Gudmundsson available for Sunday’s clash. The Leeds United full-back has been laid low by an illness over the past few days, an untimely concern given his natural fit in Potter’s 3-4-1-2 shape on the left wing-back slot. Daniel Svensson and Elliot Stroud are both capable of filling in at left wing-back if Gudmundsson can’t go.
🇹🇳 Tunisia Predicted XI
Head coach Sabri Lamouchi, appointed in January 2026 after Tunisia’s Round of 16 AFCON exit to Mali, is expected to make alterations to the team that was swept aside 5-0 by Belgium in their final warm-up, their third successive game without a goal.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Aymen Dahmen or Abdelmouhib Chamakh | โ |
| CB | Dylan Bronn | Servette |
| CB | Montassar Talbi | Lorient |
| CB | Omar Rekik or Mortadha Ben Ouanes | โ |
| RWB | Yan Valery | Sheffield Wednesday |
| CM | Ellyes Skhiri (c) | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| CM | Rani Khedira | Union Berlin |
| CM | Hannibal Mejbri | Burnley |
| LWB | Ali Abdi | โ |
| RW | Elias Achouri | โ |
| ST | Hazem Mastouri or Firas Chaouat | โ |
Hannibal Mejbri’s return and his fitness scare:
Tunisia playmaker Hannibal Mejbri is expected to return to the starting lineup for Sunday’s opener. The Burnley midfielder was an unused substitute in the 5-0 defeat to Belgium. However, Tunisia’s key player in attack sustained an injury during the pre-tournament friendly against Austria, and he’s certainly a doubt for the opening match. Tunisia will be hoping it’s not serious.
Tactical Snapshot: What to Expect
The most consequential duel on the pitch will be Ellyes Skhiri against the movement of Gyรถkeres and Isak behind Tunisia’s defensive line. Skhiri, with his physical engine to cover ground across the full width of midfield, is Tunisia’s shield in front of a back three that will otherwise be exposed to vertical runs. If Skhiri can stay disciplined and force Sweden to play in front of Tunisia’s block rather than behind it, Tunisia have a genuine chance of keeping this competitive.
Sweden’s attacking quality through Gyรถkeres and Isak, a forward line capable of unlocking even well-organised defensive blocks, makes them clear favourites at the bookmakers. But Tunisia’s qualifying defensive record was immaculate, and if Hannibal Mejbri is fit and able to add pressing energy in midfield, the Eagles of Carthage have the tools to make this a genuine contest rather than a formality.
The altitude and heat of Monterrey, combined with a late kickoff for both sets of fans back home, adds another layer of unpredictability to a fixture both sides simply cannot afford to lose.
About the Venue: Estadio BBVA (Monterrey Stadium)
Estadio BBVA, known as Monterrey Stadium during the World Cup, is home to Mexican club CF Monterrey and is located in Guadalupe, part of the greater Monterrey metropolitan area. The breathtaking stadium will host four matches from the FIFA World Cup 2026, including three group games and one Round of 32 fixture, and previously hosted eight games at the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship.
As one of the three World Cup stadiums in Mexico for 2026 (alongside Estadio Azteca and Estadio Akron), Monterrey Stadium is equipped with compact energy solutions and low-voltage equipment, making it one of the more modern and sustainable venues at the entire tournament. With a late-evening local kickoff, both Swedish and Tunisian travelling fans should find a comfortable, if humid, atmosphere inside this modern marvel.
Where to Watch Sweden vs Tunisia for Free
The match will be available on ITV in the UK, Fox Sports in the US, ZEE5 in India and SBS in Australia. All major broadcaster apps support iOS, Android, smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Android TV), Apple TV, Amazon Fire Stick, and desktop browsers. Here are the best free viewing options.
| Region | Broadcaster | Free? | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | ITV / BBC | ✅ Free | ITVX / BBC iPlayer |
| Sweden | SVT / TV4 | ✅ Free | SVT Play / TV4 Play |
| Tunisia | Watania | ✅ Free | Watania app/website |
| USA | Tubi | ✅ Completely free | tubi.tv (no account needed) |
| USA | FS1 (antenna) | ✅ Free (antenna) | Fox Sports app (needs provider) |
| Australia | SBS | ✅ Free (best slot: noon AEST) | SBS On Demand |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision / TV Azteca | ✅ Free | ViX |
| Brazil | TV Globo / CazรฉTV | ✅ Free | Globoplay / YouTube |
| Germany | ARD / ZDF | ✅ Free | ARD Mediathek / ZDFmediathek |
| Spain | RTVE | ✅ Free | RTVE Play |
| France | M6 | ✅ Free | 6play |
| Canada | TSN | 💳 Subscription | TSN+ / TSN.ca |
| MENA | beIN Sports | 💳 Subscription | beIN CONNECT app |
| India | ZEE5 | 💳 Subscription | zee5.com |
| Global fallback | FIFA+ | Varies | plus.fifa.com |
The Sweden vs Tunisia live stream is freely available in most major markets, even with its overnight kickoff for European audiences. UK fans have ITV/ITVX and BBC/iPlayer. US fans can stream for free on Tubi. Australian fans get the best slot of the group stage at noon on Monday via SBS. Swedish and Tunisian broadcasters will both carry the match nationally, regardless of the late local hour.
On the pitch, this is a genuinely open contest between two teams desperate not to be left facing the Netherlands and Japan with zero points on the board. Sweden’s remarkable play-off redemption story, built around the Gyรถkeres-Isak strike partnership, makes them favourites, but a Gudmundsson illness doubt creates uncertainty in defence. Tunisia’s historic, goal-free qualifying campaign earned huge respect, but their recent run of three straight defeats without scoring โ including a 5-0 thrashing by Belgium, raises real questions, with Hannibal Mejbri’s fitness the biggest unknown heading into kickoff.
The World Cup groups picture in Group F could be defined right here. Whoever wins this one gives themselves a fighting chance against the Dutch and Japanese later in the group; whoever loses faces an uphill battle from Matchday 1.








