How many times have Tunisia played at the World Cup? Tournament record explored

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Tunisia will be in Qatar later this year but how many times have they played at the World Cup in their history?

They have been drawn against reigning champions France, Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark and Australia in Group D for the 2022 tournament.

Ahead of the showpiece, we have had a look at their World Cup record…

How many times have Tunisia been at the World Cup in their history?

Tunisia have made five previous appearances at the World Cup, with the 2022 tournament set to be their sixth.

Their first appearance was in Argentina at the 1978 tournament, and they won their very first game by beating Mexico 3-1 in Buenos Aires.

They went out in the group stage, however, just as they have done in all five of their appearances on the world stage so far.

They made three consecutive World Cups between 1998 and 2006, but did not win a single match at all three of them.

Then, they were drawn in England’s group last time out in 2018, but were beaten 2-1 by a late Harry Kane header which got the Three Lions’ campaign off and running.

They did get that second ever tournament win though, 40 years on from their first, beating Panama 2-1 in their final group match.

For English football fans, there are not a huge amount of recognisable players within the Tunisian ranks, unless they have a particularly keen memory of that 2018 win.

Talented midfielder Hannibal is on Manchester United’s books and is spending the season on loan with Birmingham City in the Championship.

Omar Rekik is in a similar situation; he is an Arsenal player who is on loan with Sparta Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Wahbi Khazri played for Sunderland in the Premier League and is currently plying his trade in Ligue 1 with Montpellier.

Tunisia have to be aiming to get out of the group for the first time in their history, but it will be a tough ask.

France will expect to win the group, and Denmark will not want to follow up their European Championship run by falling at the first hurdle, so it would be a shock if Jalel Kadri’s men made it to the last 16.