Preview: Equatorial Guinea vs. Tunisia - prediction, team news, lineups

Tunisia could secure their place at the 2026 World Cup when they travel to Equatorial Guinea on Monday for the Group H qualifying match at Estadio de Malabo.

Entering the eighth matchday, the Eagles of Carthage are seven points ahead of Namibia in second and nine points clear of Monday's hosts in fourth after defeating Liberia on Thursday.

Match preview

Equatorial Guinea's chances of securing automatic World Cup qualification have always been slim after they were punished for fielding an ineligible player, Emilio Nsue, against Namibia and Liberia.

The National Thunder won both matches 1-0, but these results were later awarded as 3-0 losses, leaving Juan Micha's team six points behind Group H leaders Tunisia before their first encounter in June 2024, a match that was lost 1-0 in Tunis.

Although the Equatoguineans have since recovered to win three and draw one of their next four fixtures, they may have to settle for finishing as one of the four best second-placed teams to advance to the second round, where they will compete for Africa's sole qualification spot in the inter-confederation playoffs.

That would be the scenic route to qualification for Micha, who strives to be the first manager to guide the Central African nation to a World Cup finals.

Entering Monday's game without a loss in four matches, Nzalang Nacional will be confident of ending Tunisia's unbeaten streak and halting the Eagles of Carthage's expected progression to next year's tournament.

That would require the Equatoguineans to break Tunisia's run of clean sheets in qualifying, with the 2004 African champions keeping every opponent at bay.

Undoubtedly, credit goes to Sami Trabelsi, who has seen his team maintain seven shutouts during a seven-match undefeated streak in Group H ahead of Monday's visit to Malabo.

With six victories for the Eagles of Carthage, the North African nation have opened a seven-point lead at the top of the standings with three games remaining, meaning they are already assured of a top-two finish and are close to confirming their qualification for the United States next year.

Securing a win over Equatorial Guinea guarantees Tunisia a seventh World Cup appearance and their third consecutive participation after 2018 and 2022, while a draw might also be enough if the Brave Warriors somehow drop points against the dismal Sao Tome and Principe.

Indeed, it appears to be a matter of when, not if, that the previously unbeaten Eagles of Carthage secure their place in the 2026 global tournament.

Equatorial Guinea World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

Equatorial Guinea form (all competitions):

Tunisia World Cup Qualifying - Africa form:

Tunisia form (all competitions):

Team News

Equatorial Guinea appeared to emerge from their 3-2 victory over Sao Tome without any issues, providing Micha with a strong squad for selection on Monday.

Ivan Salvador scored the equaliser in that comeback from 2-0 down, bringing his total to three goals in the team’s matches, and the wide attacker aims to increase his tally as the hosts seek to finally break the North African nation’s run of clean sheets.

Hazem Mastouri scored his second qualifying goal in Tunisia's recent 3-0 victory over Liberia, and the forward aims to make an impact on Monday.

The 3-0 win occurred without assist leader Ali Abdi’s involvement, though Trabelsi’s team found alternative solutions without the wide defender’s two assists.

Hannibal Mejbri was involved in a goal for the first time in qualifying, and the ex-Manchester United man aims to contribute with an assist or score on Monday.

Equatorial Guinea possible starting lineup:

Owono; Boriko, Orozco, Coco, Ndong; Obiang, Mascarell; Salvador, Ganet, Eneme; Nsue

Tunisia possible starting lineup:

Dahmen; Valery, Bronn, Talbi, Ouanes; Sassi, Hanibal, Romdhane; Layouni, Mastouri, Achouri

We say: Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Tunisia

Removing their defeats from the forfeited matches due to fielding an ineligible Nsue, Equatorial Guinea’s only loss was a 1-0 defeat in Tunis in June 2024.

Unbeaten in four qualifying matches, the National Thunder are backed to score against Tunisia on Monday and secure a draw against the World Cup-bound Eagles of Carthage in Malabo.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.