Tunisia booked their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a stoppage-time strike in Malabo, edging past Equatorial Guinea 1-0 to become the second African nation to qualify for the finals.
Dahmen Keeps Tunisia in the Game
For most of the evening, the Carthage Eagles were under heavy pressure from a determined Equatorial Guinea side desperate to keep their own qualification hopes alive.
Tunisia’s goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen was the hero of the second half, producing a string of brilliant saves to deny Saul Coco, Emilio Nsue, and Alejandro Masogo. His acrobatic stops frustrated the hosts and set the stage for a late Tunisian smash-and-grab.
Chaouat and Ben Romdhane Deliver at the Death
With the match deep into stoppage time, Equatorial Guinea threw men forward in search of a winner. Instead, they were undone on the counter.
Firas Chaouat robbed Saul Coco of possession, surged into the box, and squared unselfishly for Mohamed Ben Romdhane, who coolly slotted past Jesús Owono to spark wild celebrations on the Tunisian bench.
Perfect Record Secures Qualification
The result guarantees Tunisia top spot in Group H with two games to spare. Remarkably, the North Africans have yet to concede a single goal in their eight qualifiers so far.
This will be Tunisia’s seventh World Cup appearance, though they have never advanced beyond the group stage at the tournament.
Equatorial Guinea Left in Limbo
The defeat leaves Equatorial Guinea’s hopes of a first-ever World Cup qualification hanging by a thread. Currently fourth in the group, they trail second-placed Namibia by two points having played an extra game.
Their federation has, however, lodged an appeal against FIFA’s decision to dock them two matches for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the campaign. Should the appeal succeed, the National Thunder would climb back into contention.
North African Dominance
Tunisia join Morocco, who qualified on Friday, as the first African representatives confirmed for the expanded 2026 finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Elsewhere, Morocco maintained their perfect record with a 2-0 win in Zambia thanks to goals from Youssef En-Nesyri and Hamza Igamane. Meanwhile, Algeria could edge closer to qualification with a win away to Guinea on Monday, while Egypt will book their spot if they defeat Burkina Faso on Tuesday.
