Tunisia participated thrice in FIFA World Cups. They won many admirers for African football in their first appearance in 1978, beating Mexico and holding world champions Germany to a draw, before exiting the tournament after the first round.

Two decades later the team returned to the finals where they landed in a tough group with England, Colombia and Romania and not unexpectedly failed to survive the first stage.

Tunisia qualified again for the 2002 tournament but unfortunately put up a disappointing showing, earning a single point from a dour meeting with Belgium before packing their bags for an early flight home.

In FIFA World Cup 2006 they will be playing in Group H along with Spain, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia. Their key players are Ziad Jaziri, Santos, Adel Chadli and captain Hatem Trabelsi.