Brazil will take on Tunisia in their international friendly at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Tuesday.

Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille plays host on Tuesday to an intriguing international friendly between Brazil and Tunisia, with both sides sharpening their edges ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While Brazil arrive as five-time world champions looking to refine Carlo Ancelotti’s new blueprint, Tunisia enter in excellent form and eager to prove they can compete with football’s global heavyweights.

This will be only the third meeting between the nations. Historically, the Selecão have dominated this matchup, winning both previous clashes emphatically, 4-1 in 1973 and 5-1 in a 2022 friendly at the Parc des Princes. But the dynamics have evolved, and Tuesday’s contest offers a very different backdrop.

Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure is beginning to take shape. Brazil’s performance arc through recent international windows has followed a familiar pattern, emphatic victories followed by puzzling setbacks.

Last month, they crushed South Korea 5-0 before surrendering a two-goal lead in a chaotic 3-2 loss to Japan, a defeat that contributed to their slide from sixth to seventh in the FIFA rankings. Their September window was similarly disjointed, ending with a shock loss to Bolivia that overshadowed an otherwise successful qualification campaign in which Brazil maintained their perfect World Cup appearance record.

However, November has brought renewed optimism. At the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, a controlled 2-0 win over Senegal, courtesy of goals from Estevão and Casemiro, demonstrated balance, discipline, and growing clarity in Ancelotti’s tactical setup. The victory was only their second in their last five matches against African opponents, emphasising the need for consistency as the World Cup draws closer.

Tuesday’s match is another opportunity to consolidate confidence, test new combinations, and refine their attacking structure, especially with the manager continuing his experimentation with Vinícius Júnior as a more central presence.

Tunisia enter the fixture with genuine belief. The Carthage Eagles have been one of Africa’s most efficient teams over the past year, boasting an extraordinary World Cup qualifying campaign: nine wins from 10 games, and only two goals conceded. They were one of just two African nations to emerge from the qualifiers with a spotless defensive record, an achievement that speaks volumes about Sami Trabelsi’s organisational structure.

The North Africans carried that form into their recent fixtures. Consecutive wins over São Tomé and Príncipe (6-0) and Namibia (3-0) sealed their World Cup ticket, while a 1-1 draw with Mauritania ended their friendly slump before a spirited 3-2 win over Jordan restored momentum. Climbing three places to 43rd in the FIFA rankings, Tunisia are in the midst of a quietly impressive resurgence.

While they were overwhelmed 5-1 by Brazil in their last meeting in 2022, the team has since matured. Their defensive backbone is stronger, their transitions are sharper, and they approach this contest as far more than mere sparring partners, they see it as a statement opportunity ahead of AFCON 2025. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Brazil

Brazil enter this fixture with one significant concern following their victory over Senegal. Gabriel Magalhães was forced off in the first half with a suspected groin injury, and early assessments indicate that the Arsenal centre-back is unlikely to feature against Tunisia. His withdrawal marks the only major fitness setback from the weekend, as Carlo Ancelotti otherwise has a full squad available. There are no suspensions to worry about, but rotation is expected as the manager continues to assess his options ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

With Gabriel ruled out, Éder Militão is expected to step into central defence alongside Marquinhos, offering the Seleção a familiar partnership built on pace, anticipation and composure. Wesley França is set to continue at right-back, though Fabrício Bruno remains an alternative if Ancelotti opts for further changes. On the left, Alex Sandro provides experience and balance.

Ancelotti’s biggest decision comes in attack, where Estevão continues to justify the hype surrounding him. Fresh from scoring his fourth international goal, and his third in as many games, the 18-year-old is expected to retain his place, operating primarily from the right half-space. His involvement allows Rodrygo Goes and Vinícius Júnior to roam fluidly, interchanging between wide and central channels in the flexible attacking structure that Ancelotti has favoured.

The Italian is also likely to distribute minutes more evenly, meaning a potential start for João Pedro in the striker role instead of Matheus Cunha, while Richarlison is also pushing for involvement. In midfield, Fabinho and Lucas Paquetá may anchor the centre, though the combination could shift depending on match tempo and tactical needs.

Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Bento; Franca, Marquinhos, Militao, Sandro; Fabinho, Paqueta; Estevao, Rodrygo; Vinicius, Pedro

Tunisia

Tunisia arrive in Lille with a near full-strength squad and no fresh injury or suspension issues, giving head coach Sami Trabelsi the flexibility to name a more competitive lineup after experimenting heavily during recent fixtures. With Brazil providing a significantly tougher challenge than Jordan or Mauritania, Trabelsi is expected to lean on his senior core, restoring several established starters who were rested or rotated last time out.

A key returning figure is Aymen Dahmen, the undisputed No. 1 for the Carthage Eagles. The 28-year-old goalkeeper is set to reclaim his position between the posts after sitting out Tunisia’s previous match. In defence, Ali Abdi, who scored in Tunisia’s recent victory, will continue at left-back, offering energy, overlapping runs and a reliable delivery down the flank. Central defence is likely to be anchored by Montassar Talbi, who also found the net last time out and remains one of Tunisia’s most experienced and consistent performers. He is expected to partner either Yassine Meriah or Dylan Bronn, depending on Trabelsi’s tactical preference for pace or aerial strength. On the right-hand side of the back four, Yann Valery should retain his place.

In midfield, the reliable Ellyes Skhiri is set to operate as the lone defensive midfielder in the 4-1-4-1 setup, shielding the back line and dictating Tunisia’s tempo from deep positions. Ahead of him, Elias Saad, Hannibal Mejbri, Ismael Gharbi, and Amor Layouni are among the creative players who could feature.

In attack, Firas Chaouat is expected to return as the lone striker, leading the line with physicality and movement. His reinstatement would see Hazem Mastouri drop to the bench after starting the previous match.

Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Dahmen; Abdi, Talbihis, Meriah, Valery; Skhiri; Saad, Hannibal, Ghabi, Layouni; Chaouat

Key Stats

• Brazil have won both previous meetings with Tunisia, scoring nine goals across two matches (4-1 in 1973 and 5-1 in 2022).

• Tunisia enjoyed an exceptional World Cup qualifying campaign, finishing with nine wins from 10 matches and conceding just two goals, one of the best defensive records in all of Africa.

• Brazil have shown inconsistency against African nations recently, winning only two of their last five matches against CAF opposition prior to beating Senegal on Saturday.

• The Carthage Eagles enter this match unbeaten in their last four fixtures, scoring 14 goals and conceding just five during that run.

• Under Carlo Ancelotti, Brazil have scored 13 goals in seven matches, while keeping four clean sheets, highlighting gradual stability at both ends of the pitch.

Player to Watch

Vinicius Junior

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As Brazil looks to fine-tune their preparations for the 2026 World Cup, Vinícius Júnior remains the player to watch. The 25-year-old has blossomed into one of the world’s most exciting attackers under Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, and his potential to lead Brazil in the upcoming World Cup cycle makes him a key figure for the national team.

Known for his dazzling dribbling, blistering pace, and technical ability, Vinícius offers Brazil the perfect combination of creativity and finishing ability. Ancelotti’s tactical shift to use Vinícius more centrally has been a revelation, allowing him to influence play from a more central role while still making runs into the box and testing opposition defences with his directness.

In the absence of Neymar, Vinícius has assumed even greater responsibility in attack, and he has responded with consistent performances, creating chances and providing a clinical edge. His combination of speed and vision makes him dangerous in both open play and on the counterattack, and Tunisia will have their hands full trying to contain him.

Against Tunisia, Vinícius’ pace and creativity could be crucial in unlocking their defensive structure, and his ability to get behind the defence or cut inside and shoot will be a constant threat. Expect him to be Brazil’s primary outlet in attack and the focal point of their offensive strategy.

Prediction

Brazil 3–1 Tunisia

This friendly between Brazil and Tunisia presents an intriguing clash between two teams on different trajectories but with shared ambitions for the 2026 World Cup. Brazil, fresh off their recent 2-0 win over Senegal, will look to build momentum under Carlo Ancelotti as they fine-tune their squad and tactical approach. Despite the absence of some key players, such as Neymar, Brazil still boast an abundance of talent, including the in-form Vinícius Júnior, and will look to dominate possession and control the game from the start.

On the other hand, Tunisia will enter the match with confidence, having gone unbeaten in their last four outings and showing impressive defensive solidity during their World Cup qualifiers. Under the guidance of Sami Trabelsi, the Carthage Eagles will aim to frustrate Brazil’s attacking players, relying on their well-organised structure and counter-attacking threat. The return of key players such as Firas Chaouat will give Tunisia added attacking options.

While Tunisia’s defensive resilience will ensure they make life difficult for Brazil, the South Americans’ superior quality, firepower, and attacking fluidity should ultimately see them prevail.