Los Angeles FC (LAFC) will aim to secure their first points in the FIFA Club World Cup in the Group D stage when they face Espérance de Tunis at GEODIS Park in Nashville on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 23:00 GMT.
LAFC earned their spot in the 32-team tournament with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time victory over Club América on May 31. Meanwhile, Espérance de Tunis, one of Africa’s most decorated clubs, qualified as a top-ranked CAF team, as stated by football stats published in the African Football section of our website.
Match Preview
LAFC come into this match after losing 2-0 to Chelsea in their opening match on June 16th. The Black & Gold, led by star forward Denis Bouanga and French World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, showed resilience in their qualification play-off against Club América, with Denis Bouanga scoring the decisive goal in the 115th minute. However, their defensive record is a concern, having kept just two clean sheets in their last 10 matches across all competitions.
Steve Cherundolo’s side has been prolific in attack, scoring 23 goals in their last 10 games, with Bouanga contributing 80 goals in 128 appearances for the club. LAFC’s recent form includes a nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions before the Chelsea loss. They had claimed four wins and five draws since their loss to Inter Miami on April 10th. At home or neutral venues, they’ve lost just once in their last seven matches, making them a tough opponent on American soil.
Espérance de Tunis, making their fourth Club World Cup appearance, faced Flamengo in their Group D opener, going down to a 2-0 defeat. The Tunisian giants dominated their domestic league, recording 19 wins, ten draws and suffering just two defeats in the regular season and clinching their 34th league title. However, their attacking output has been less convincing, with the team struggling to score consistently in continental competitions.
Head coach Maher Kanzari’s side is disciplined and organised, with midfielders Yan Sasse and winger Youcef Belaïli providing 13 goal contributions each this season. Espérance has won two of their three previous Club World Cup matches, both in fifth-place playoffs, but no African team has ever claimed the title. Their away form is a concern, having won just twice in their last eight matches outside Tunisia.
The two sides have never met, but LAFC’s mid-season MLS form and home-continent advantage could give them an edge. Espérance, however, will look to exploit any defensive lapses with their counter-attacking style.
LAFC FIFA Club World Cup form:
- vs Chelsea 0-2 (L) 16/06/25
LAFC form (all competitions):
- W (H) 3-1 against Kansas City (MLS) 09/06/25
- D (A) 2-2 against Montreal (MLS) 25/05/25
- D (A) 2-2 against LA Galaxy (MLS) 19/05/25
- W (H) 4-0 against Seattle Sounders (MLS) 19/05/25
- D (A) 2-2 against Vancouver (MLS) 12/05/25
Espérance de Tunis FIFA Club World Cup form:
- vs Flamengo 0-2 (L) 17/06/25
Espérance de Tunis form (all competitions):
- W (H) 1-0 against Stade Tunisier (Tunisian Cup) 01/06/25
- W (A) 3-0 against USBG (Tunisian Cup) 25/05/25
- W (H) 3-1 against ESZ (Tunisian Cup) 18/05/25
- D (H) 0-0 against Monastir (Ligue One) 15/05/25
- W (A) 5-0 against Olympique Beja (Ligue One) 11/05/25
Team News
LAFC:
Jeremy Ebobisse looks set to lead the line, likely supported by Nathan Ordaz and Denis Bouanga. Hugo Lloris will anchor the defence in goal, with defenders Aaron Long, Ryan Hollingshead, Eddie Segura and Sergi Palencia forming the backline. Midfielders Timothy Tillman and Igor Jesus look likely to start, with young star David Martínez pushing for minutes out wide.
Espérance de Tunis:
Youcef Belaïli and Yan Sasse are key attacking threats, with striker Rodrigo Rodrigues likely to start. Midfielder Khalil Guenichi and defender Yassine Meriah will provide stability, while goalkeeper Bechir Ben Said is expected to start between the posts. Kanzari may opt for a compact 4-2-3-1 to counter LAFC’s pace.
LAFC possible starting lineup:
Lloris; Palencia, Long, Segura, Hollingshead; Igor Jesus, Tillman, Delgado; Bouanga, Ordaz, Ebobisse
Espérance de Tunis possible starting lineup:
Ben Said; Ben Ali, Meriah, Tougai, Ben Hamida; Guenichi, Ogbelu; Sasse, Jebali, Belaïli; Rodrigues
We Say: LAFC 2-1 Espérance de Tunis
LAFC’s attacking firepower, led by Bouanga, and their familiarity with U.S. conditions should give them a slight edge. Espérance’s disciplined setup may frustrate the MLS side early, but the Black & Gold’s relentless pressure is likely to yield a narrow victory. A moment of brilliance from Belaïli could keep the game close, but LAFC’s depth should prevail.
