Friday Jun 20, 2025. 15:00
ES Tunis will look to get their 2025 Club World Cup campaign up and running when they face Los Angeles FC at Geodis Park on Saturday, June 21.
Kick-off is at 12am CAT (SA, GMT+2)
The Blood and Gold are making their fourth appearance at the continental competition, but they’ve yet to win a match after failing to get past the second round on three separate occasions.
The record 34-time Tunisian champions fell to Middle East opponents each time, having lost 2-1 to Al-Sadd in 2011, 3-0 to Al Ain in 2018 and 1-0 to Al-Hilal in 2019.
Their opening game in the revamped format went the same way as Maher Kanzari’s side suffered a 2-0 defeat against Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on June 17.
ES Tunis sit bottom of Group D behind the Black and Gold on fair play points, but they’ll be determined to end their Club World Cup hoodoo in Nashville.
Kanzari admitted the FIFA showpiece couldn’t have come at a worse time for his team as the players have had little time to mentally prepare after finishing their domestic season just two weeks ago.
“This timing is the worst period for a coach and player to meet. It’s when most injuries happen. Mentally, the players are not fully ready – it’s a difficult time, no doubt,” he told beIN Sports.
LAFC are featuring at the Club World Cup for the first time, having qualified via a playoff after they beat Club America 2-1 after extra time.
Steve Cherundolo’s side kicked off proceedings with a 2-0 loss to Chelsea at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 16 and they’ll be determined to put on a better showing against the four-time CAF Champions League winners.
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