“You cannot play football without believing in yourself. It is normal to have confidence before the game against England, although we ended up in a very difficult group. England got better in the past years, and we don't have any experience with the World Cup. Our goal at the World Cup is to advance to the knockout stage,” Maaloul told journalists.

Tunisia was drawn in Group G and is set to face England at Volgograd Arena on Monday and Belgium and Panama on 23 June and 28 respectfully.