Monrovia – The Liberia national football team will take on Tunisia today, March 19 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville for the fifth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
By: Christopher C. Walker, [email protected]
Liberia currently sits in third place in Group H with seven points from two wins, one draw, and one defeat. Meanwhile, Tunisia lead the group with 10 points from three matches.
The Lone Star enters the match with renewed optimism after a difficult African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign, where they finished bottom of their group, securing their absence from the tournament in Morocco.
However, the World Cup qualifiers resumed with a boost for Liberia after FIFA overturned a 1-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea, awarding Liberia a 3-0 win due to the ineligibility of an Equatorial Guinea player.
Following that, Liberia secured a 1-1 draw against Namibia and a narrow 1-0 victory over Sao Tome & Principe, offering fresh hope for their World Cup ambitions.
The team faces a tough challenge against Tunisia, ranked 93 places higher than Liberia in the latest FIFA rankings. However, Liberia will be buoyed by their only previous home meeting with Tunisia, a 1-0 victory in the 2015 AFCON qualifiers. A win today would see Liberia equal on points with Tunisia at the top of Group H.
Lone Star head coach Thomas Kojo spoke to the media ahead of the match, praising Tunisia as one of the biggest footballing nations in Africa. He emphasized the importance of studying Tunisia’s recent games and adjusting tactics accordingly.
“My opponent is one of the biggest countries in football. They’ve qualified for the World Cup six times, and they’ve had success in AFCON. It’s not a country that can be underrated. We’ve been analyzing their recent games to understand their strengths and key players,” Kojo said.
Tunisia, who secured their spot for the 2025 AFCON, are also aiming to maintain their dominance in the World Cup qualifiers under new head coach Sami Trabelsi, who returned to lead the team after a previous stint from 2011 to 2013.
The Eagles of Carthage cruised through their qualifiers before the break, securing wins against Sao Tome (4-0), Malawi (1-0), and Equatorial Guinea (1-0), while settling for a goalless draw with Namibia.
Tunisia have been strong on the road, with three wins and three draws in recent competitive matches, and will look to extend that unbeaten streak as they aim to keep their grip on top spot in Group H.
For Liberia, coach Kojo has named a 24-man squad for the crucial double-header, with 13 foreign-based players and 11 local-based players, including debutants Solomon Tweh, Bryant Farkarlun, Nicholas Andrews, Josiah Cea, and Jeygbey Konneh.
The squad also sees the return of striker Augustine Otu, who has been in impressive form with Egyptian club Tersana SC, where he has scored 11 goals this season. However, Liberia will be without key players such as Mohammed Sangare, Emmanuel Ernest, and Brem Soumaoro.
Tunisia’s Trabelsi has also made changes to his squad, calling up four new players, including goalkeepers Sami Helal and Abdessalem Hlaoui, central defender Hamza Ben Alda, and full-back Houssem Ben Romdane. Firas Chaouat also receives a recall after four years, while Amos Slimane and Naomi Sliti return after their participation in the last AFCON.
Liberia Possible Starting Lineup:
Koulibaly; Teclar, Dweh, Balde, Pabai; Kenneth; Salmon; Otu, Dorley, Ledlum; Bryant
Tunisia Possible Starting Lineup:
Dahmen; Ghorbel, Bronn, Abda, Abdi; Romdhane; Ltaief, Sliti; Laidouni, Mastouri, Chaouat