Preview: Sweden vs Tunisia prediction, odds, where to watch, time | FIFA World Cup 2026

The Scandinavian nation won a bronze medal in their last World Cup outing on American soil in 1994.

Flanked closely by the historic Santa Catarina River, the Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA) in Guadalupe, Mexico, gears up to host the opening match week fixture in Group F of the FIFA World Cup 2026, featuring European heavyweights Sweden and African outfit Tunisia.

The Scandinavian nation is coming to the FIFA World Cup 2026 after missing out on the previous edition. The last time the Swedish team played the World Cup on American soil in 1994, they went on to clinch the bronze medal after defeating Saudi Arabia, Romania and Bulgaria.

Their UEFA World Cup qualification was an absolute drama. Despite finishing bottom of the UEFA World Cup qualifier group stages, they made the most of their safety net in UEFA Nations League and went on to defeat Poland and Ukraine to book a ticket to North America.

They are led by Graham Potter, who has previously led top English teams like Chelsea, Brighton and West Ham before making a move to Sweden national team.

VM-premiären närmar sig 🇹🇳⏳#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/xhVy1U9FJo

— Svensk Fotboll (@svenskfotboll) June 12, 2026

The Eagles of Carthage are coming after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Belgium in their most recent encounter. They have scored just once in the last four games, and their recent form is concerning. They are led by French gaffer Sabri Lamouchi, who has previously led teams like Nottingham and Ivory Coast.

They pulled out one of the biggest upsets when they went on to defeat defending champions France in the last edition. The first-ever African nation to win a match at a FIFA World Cup final tournament, Tunisia will be keen to get the better of Sweden in the next game.

World Cups have a habit of producing unforgettable moments, and this encounter has all the ingredients to be another memorable chapter. With talented players spread across the pitch and little room for error, fans can expect an entertaining battle between two teams eager to make their mark in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Kick-off:

• Location: Guadalupe, Mexico
• Stadium: Monterrey Stadium (Estadio BBVA)
• Date: Sunday, June 14
• Kick-off time: 2 a.m. BST [7:30 a.m. IST, Monday, June 15 / 8 p.m. local CST, Sunday, June 14]
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

Sweden (in all competitions): D-W-W-L-D

Tunisia (in all competitions): L-W-D-L-L

Players to Watch

Viktor Gyökeres (Sweden)

One of the major protagonists behind Sweden’s fairy tale qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 despite finishing at the bottom of the UEFA Qualifiers, Gyokeres is in red hot form, coming after winning the Premier League with Arsenal and taking them to UCL Finals.

This will be Gyokeres’ debut at the World Cup 2026 and his chemistry with compatriot Isak upfront will be key to Sweden’s knockout hopes in the World Cup.

He had 24 goal contributions in over 50 games for the North London outfit and will be keen to replicate that world class form with Sweden in the World Cup.

Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)

The Burnley midfielder is expected to start the next game against Sweden after being left out of the playing eleven against Belgium in the last friendly. He impressed early during his youth days at the Manchester United academy.

He will be a key player to watch out for Tunisia in the World Cup. He has accumulated massive experience playing across top European leagues.

Unlike traditional playmakers, what makes Mejbri special is his ability to contribute defensively in the midfield and aggressively track back during transitional plays and counterattacks.

Match Facts

• These two sides will lock horns with each other for the first time in FIFA World Cup
• Tunisia won the last time when these two sides last met back in 2003.
• Sweden won two games against Tunisia, both of which ended in a 1-0 win

Sweden vs Tunisia: Betting Tips and Odds

• Sweden to win the game – 5/6 with Betfred
• Viktor Gyokeres to score – 11/8 with Betfred
• Sweden 3-1 Tunisia – 16/1 with Betfred

Injury and Team News

Sweden World Cup squad

Gabriel Gudmundsson is battling a virus but may be fit to play. Incase of his absence, Daniel Svensson or Elliot Stroud will be asked to fit in. Apart from that, they do not have any other injury concerns.

Goalkeepers: Viktor Johansson (Stoke City), Kristoffer Nordfeldt (AIK Fotball AB), Jacob Widell Zetterström (Derby County)

Defenders: Hjalmar Ekdal (Burnley), Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds United), Isak Hien (Atalanta), Emil Holm (Juventus), Gustaf Lagerbielke (SC Braga), Victor Lindelöf (Aston Villa), Eric Smith (St Pauli), Carl Starfelt (Celta de Vigo), Elliot Stroud Mjallby), Daniel Svensson (Borussia Dortmund)

Midfielders: Jesper Kalström (Udinese), Yasin Ayari (Brighton), Mattias Svanberg (Wolfsburg), Lucas Bergvall (Tottenham), Besfort Zeneli (Saint-Gilloise)

Forwards: Taha Ali (Malmö), Alexander Bernhardsson (Holstein Kiel), Anthony Elanga (Newcastle), Viktor Gyökeres (Arsenal), Alexander Isak (Liverpool), Gustaf Nilsson (Club Brugge), Benjamin Nygren (Celtic), Ken Sema (Pafos)

Tunisia World Cup squad

Tunisia do not have any injury concerns for the upcoming game but the Tunisian gaffer is expected to make significant changes to the side that lost 5-0 to Belgium in the last game

Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien), Sabri Ben Hassen (Étoile du Sahel), Abdelmouhib Chamakh (Club Africain)

Defenders: Montassar Talbi (FC Lorient), Dylan Bronn (Servette FC), Omar Rekik (NK Maribor), Adem Arous (Kasımpaşa), Raed Chikhaoui (US Monastir), Yan Valery (BSC Young Boys), Moutaz Neffati (IFK Norrköping), Ali Abdi (OGC Nice), Mohamed Ali Ben Hmida (Espérance de Tunis)

Midfielders: Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt), Mohamed Hadj Mahmoud (FC Lugano), Rani Khedira (Union Berlin), Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), Anis Ben Slimane (Norwich City), Mortadha Ben Ouanes (Kasımpaşa), Ismaël Gharbi (FC Augsburg)

Forwards: Khalil Ayari (Paris Saint-Germain), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic), Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen), Firas Chaouat (Club Africain), Hazem Mastouri (Dynamo Makhachkala), Elias Saad (Hannover 96), Rayen Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Head-to-Head

Total games: 04

Sweden won: 02

Tunisia won: 01

Matches drawn: 01

Predicted Lineups

Sweden predicted lineup (3-4-1-2)

Kristoffer Nordfeldt (GK); Benjamin Bernhardsson, Victor Lindelöf, Isak Hien; Gustaf Lagerbielke, Jesper Karlström, Yasin Ayari, Gabriel Gudmundsson; Benjamin Nygren; Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres.

Tunisia predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Béchir Ben Saïd (GK); Yan Valery, Montassar Talbi, Karim Rekik, Ali Abdi; Rani Khedira, Ellyes Skhiri; Ismaël Gharbi, Hannibal Mejbri, Elias Achouri; Hazem Chaouat.

Match Prediction

Sweden have a world-class attacking duo of Isak and Gyokeres. Tunisia’s recent form has also been a bit concerning. We expect Sweden to win the next game comfortably, with Tunisia fighting back with a consolation goal.

Prediction: Sweden 3-1 Tunisia

Telecast Details

India: Unite8 Sports Channels, ZEE5,

UK: BBC & ITV

USA: FOX Sports

Nigeria: DStv, GOtv

Full Broadcaster List here.

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