Preview: Palestine vs. Tunisia (2025 FIFA Arab Cup)
Tunisia look to recover from their surprise loss to Syria but an ascendant Palestine could pose problems for the 2021 finalists.
What: 2025 FIFA Arab Cup Group match
When: December 4th, 2025
Kickoff: 16:30 Jerusalem Time
Where: Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar
TV/Streams: Subscribers will receive an email with a link to a live stream on the day of the game. Subscribe below:
Previous Encounters:
05.10.1969: Tunisia 1:1 Palestine (Unofficial Friendly)
21.08.1973: Palestine 2:6 Tunisia (1973 Palestine Cup)
24.05.2012: Palestine* 0:0 Tunisia U22 (2012 Nakba Cup)
Do or Die for Tunisia
Thursday’s encounter between Tunisia and Palestine will be the first time the sides meet in an official match. Before the start of the tournament, Tunisia were favoured to coast through the group but a loss to Syria has complicated matters and now anything less than a win might doom their Arab Cup campaign.
Unlike their North Africa neighbours, Tunisia has arrived in Qatar with their first team coach and the strongest possible side they could field given European club commitments. Yassine Meriah anchored the defence throughout World Cup qualification and helped Tunisia qualify for the 2026 World Cup without conceding a single goal. He is here along with Al-Ahly legend Ali Maaloul and 2022 World Cup veterans Ferjani Sassi, Mohammed Ali Ben Romadhane, and Saifeddine Jaziri.
The defensive group of Montassar Talbi, Dylan Bronn, Ali Abdi, and Yann Valery are back with their clubs in Europe. Hannibal Mejibiri and Elyes Skhiri are notable absences in midfield along with the injured Aissa Laidounni and Naim Sliti.
The Eagles of Carthage have always been a gritty side that has been a thorn in the side of many of the world’s top teams. Before traveling to Qatar, a full strength Tunisia drew 1-1 with Brazil. Their win against France at the last World Cup is a memory fans of Arab football hold dear.
Where Tunisia has faltered in recent years has been when playing as a favourite. Tunisia fell at the group stage of the 2022 World Cup because they lost 1-0 to Australia.
An inability to finish off chances haunted them again on Match Day 1 vs Syria. It was one way traffic in the first half but a rare foray forward netted Syria a free kick which was finished off audaciously by Omar Kharbin.
Pressure off for Palestine
Palestine know with near certainty that one win over the next two games will net them a place in the quarterfinals. The question now is whether or not the approach will change. Ehab Abu Jazar shut down Qatar defensively first before throwing on attackers in the 60th minute to try and win the game.
Logically, a similar approach should be used here but with the pressure squarely on Tunisia maybe the Gazan tactician goes for it early to try and unsettle them. Further boosting Palestine’s chances are the fact that a fully rested Oday Dabbagh can now start the match. If there are to be any changes to the Starting XI it’s highly likely Dabbagh replaces one of Emilio Saba, Tamer Seyam, or Zaid Qunbar.
The only injury concern is Hamed Hemdan. The 25 year old has been the focal point of so many good things for Palestine since making his senior team debut back in March. The Petrojet midfielder had to be stretchered off in the dying embers of the Qatar game. Tests revealed that it his ACL is okay but it is hard to see him recovering in three days given the fact his knee was heavily bandaged and was walking with a limp in the mixed zone.
If he can’t go look for veteran Odai Kharoub to start in his place.