The Tunisia national team released their final player list for the 2022 FIFA World Cup with no notable surprises from manager Jalel Kadri. A strong midfield featuring Aïssa Laïdouni of Ferencváros and Freiburg’s Ellyes Skhiri headlines the Carthage Eagles squad who will compete with Denmark, Australia and favorites France in Group D. Talented young central midfielder Hannibal Mejbri joins former Zamalek player Ferjani Sassi in the midfield group along with Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and Ghailene Chaalali from Tunisia Ligue 1 Professionnelle champions Espérance ST.
Kadri selected four goalkeepers, all of whom are based in Tunisian football with Aymen Dahmen of CS Sfaxien named as the starter. An experienced group forms the defense with Dylan Bronn and Montassar Talbi the presumed starters in the center of the defensive line backed up by battle tested options such as Yassine Meriah and Bilel Ifa. Swiss-based right back Mohamed Dräger is a likely starter while Kadri has a difficult decision to make on the left flank with Al Ahly fullback Ali Maâloul and French-based option Ali Abdi set to battle for the starting nod.
Captain Youssef Msakni and Montpellier attacker Wahbi Khazri lead the Tunisian forward line, which has plenty of experience as well but is the major question mark for Carthage Eagles supporters. Anis Ben Slimane of Danish club Brondby is a younger member who could make an impact in Qatar with veterans Seifeddine Jaziri of Egyptian champions Zamalek and Kuwait-based Taha Khenissi also in contention to lead the line.
The full list of players is below. Tunisia start their World Cup with a matchup against Denmark on November 22.
Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien), Bechir Ben Saïd (US Monastir), Mouez Hassen (Club Africain), Aymen Mathlouthi (Étoile du Sahel)
Defenders: Ali Abdi (Caen- France), Nader Ghandri (Club Africain), Mohamed Dräger (FC Luzern- Switzerland), Bilel Ifa (Kuwait SC- Kuwait), Wajdi Kechrida (Atromitos- Greece), Ali Maâloul (Al Ahly- Egypt), Montassar Talbi (Lorient- France), Dylan Bronn (Salernitana- Italy), Yassine Meriah (Espérance ST)
Midfielders: Ferjani Sassi (Al-Duhail- Qatar), Ellyes Skhiri (Freiburg- Germany), Aïssa Laïdouni (Ferencváros- Hungary), Hannibal Mejbri (Birmingham City- England), Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and Ghailene Chaalai (both Espérance ST)
Forwards: Youssef Msakni (Al Arabi- Qatar), Wahbi Khazri (Montpellier- France), Anis Ben Slimane (Brondby- Denmark), Taha Khenissi (Kuwait SC- Kuwait), Naïm Sliti (Al-Ittifaq- Saudi Arabia), Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek- Egypt), Issam Jebali (Odense- Denmark)
