World Cup 2022: Tunisia announces final squad for tournament

Share this with Email Share this with Facebook Share this with Twitter Share this with Whatsapp

Tunisia will compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the second time, and they will be eager to improve on their performance in 2018.

Advertisement

At the tournament in Russia, they were drawn with Belgium, England, and Panama and finished third, losing their first two matches before winning their last game against Panama.

Hannibal Mejbri of Manchester United is one of Tunisia's outstanding players, with the 19-year-old poised to compete in his debut World Cup as Kadri's youngest player in Qatar.

Mejbri has assisted two goals in 15 games for Birmingham City this season on loan, and he is already a seasoned senior international with 18 Tunisian caps.

The Red Devils youth has previous big tournament experience, having represented Tunisia at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, and he is the only English-based player in the ranks.

Two Ligue 1 players will also compete for Tunisia this winter, with Montpellier HSC's Wahbi Khazri expected to lead the charge.

Khazri scored twice and assisted on two more goals for Tunisia in the 2018 World Cup, giving him 24 goals for the country, second only to Issam Jemaa's 36.

Along with Khazri, Lorient defender Montassar Talbi has been a regular for Les Merlus throughout their blazing start to the season.

The 24-year-old has played every minute for early-season surprise package Lorient, who now sit sixth in Ligue 1, and he has 22 Tunisian caps to his record.

Advertisement

However, after scoring twice and setting up two more goals for Clermont in Ligue 1 this season, Saif-Eddine Khaoui remains a glaring absence.

Other noteworthy Tunisian players include FC Koln midfielder Ellyes Skhiri and Dylan Bronn, as Kadri's team prepares to face Denmark in their first game on November 22.

Below is the full squad:

Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien), Bechir Ben Said (US Monastir), Mouez Hassen (Club Africain), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile Sahel)

Defenders: Ali Abdi (Caen), Dylan Bronn (Salernitana), Mohamed Drager (FC Luzern), Nader Ghandri (Club Africain), Bilel Ifa (Kuwait SC), Wajdi Kechrida (Atromitos), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly), Yassine Meriah (Esperance), Montassar Talbi (Lorient)

Midfielders: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Ghailene Chaalali (both Esperance), Aissa Laidouni (Ferencvaros), Hannibal Mejbri (Birmingham City), Ferjani Sassi (Al Duhail), Ellyes Skhiri (FC Cologne)

Forwards: Anis Ben Slimane (Brondby), Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek), Issam Jebali (Odense), Wahbi Khazri (Montpellier), Taha Yassine Khenissi (Kuwait SC), Youssef Msakni (Al Arabi), Naim Sliti (Al Ittifaq)