After a defeat against Syria (0-1) and a surprising draw against Palestine (2-2), Tunisia had to beat Qatar to hope to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Arab Cup. The two teams were in an unfavorable draw and, if the Carthage Eagles won 3-0 against the host country, Sunday at Al Bayt Stadium (the France-Morocco stadium at the 2022 World Cup), it was elimination for both selections!
At the same time, Palestine and Syria shared the points (0-0) to finish with five points and qualify for the second round of this Fifa Arab Cup, with the Palestinians coming in first place.
Mohamed Ben Romdhane opened the scoring for the Tunisians (16th) against the Qataris led by Lucas Mendes, Brazilian defender who played for OM (62 matches from 2012 to 2014). Yassine Meriah made the break (62nd), then Qatar failed to save the honor at 11 against 10 after the exclusion of Seifeddine Jaziri (65th) and Tunisia scored a third goal on the last action of the match (95th).
Tunisia disappoints, Qatar too
Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi is preparing very poorly for the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco (December 21, 2025-January 18, 2026). The former full-back was counting, during this Arab Cup, on internationals whom he could call up in the coming hours for the CAN, such as Ferjani Sassi, Ismaël Gharbi or Hazem Mastouri. The Carthage Eagles will face Tanzania, Nigeria and Uganda.
It’s disillusionment for Julen Lopetegui’s Qatar, who played this tournament at home with his A team, seven months before the 2026 World Cup in North America (June 11-July 19). The Garnets will face Switzerland, the winner of the European play-off of Italy and Wales then Canada.
