In the African zone Group H of the World Cup qualifiers, Tunisia defeated Equatorial Guinea 1-0 away from home, thanks to a decisive goal by Loumzam in the 94th minute.
That stoppage-time strike proved priceless, as it officially sealed Tunisia’s qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Tunisia Dominates Group H
Tunisia went into the match knowing that a victory would secure their place in the World Cup, but despite dominating, they struggled to break through Equatorial Guinea’s resilient defence.
It wasn’t until stoppage time that Equatorial Guinea made a costly mistake in their own half. Tunisia intercepted quickly and launched a counterattack, creating a two-on-one opportunity. Loumzam received an unselfish pass from his teammate and calmly slotted the ball into the net, delivering the winning goal.
Currently, Tunisia has recorded seven wins and one draw in eight qualifying matches, remaining unbeaten with 22 points.
They sit firmly at the top of Group H, 10 points ahead of second-placed Namibia, who still have three games left to play. With this lead, Tunisia has secured their ticket to the World Cup in advance.
The Second African Team to Qualify
Tunisia has become the second African nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, following Morocco, and the 18th team worldwide to secure a place in the tournament.
This will be Tunisia’s seventh appearance at the World Cup and its third consecutive qualification. However, in their previous six campaigns, they have never advanced past the group stage. The team will aim to break that barrier in 2026.
Increased African Slots for 2026
With the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, Africa’s allocation has significantly increased. According to the new format, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been granted 9.5 slots, comprising nine direct spots and one intercontinental playoff spot.
The African qualifiers are divided into nine groups, each with six teams. The group winners will qualify directly, while the four best runners-up will advance to a playoff to fight for the chance to enter the intercontinental playoffs.
North African Football’s Strength on Display
Tunisia’s qualification is not only a moment of joy for their supporters but also a testament to the strength of North African football. As the qualifiers progress, other African powerhouses will continue to battle for the remaining World Cup berths.
It is expected that in 2026, African teams will not only increase in number but also in influence on the global stage.
