Reviewed by Sports Pulse Editorial and updated when source details change.
Sabri Lamouchi announced his 26-man Tunisia squad on May 15, 2026, confirming the Eagles of Carthage for the nation’s seventh World Cup appearance. Tunisia enters a challenging Group F alongside Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden, with Lamouchi — appointed in January 2026 — tasked with achieving what no Tunisian team has managed: reaching the knockout stage.
Last updated: May 15, 2026.
Full 26-man squad
Goalkeepers
| Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aymen Dahmen | CS Sfaxien | 29 | 20 |
| Bechir Ben Said | Espérance Tunis | 33 | 15 |
| Sabri Ben Hassen | Étoile du Sahel | 29 | 2 |
Defenders
| Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montassar Talbi | Lorient | 27 | 45 |
| Yassine Meriah | Espérance Tunis | 32 | 82 |
| Dylan Bronn | Servette | 30 | 42 |
| Nader Ghandri | Akhmat Grozny | 30 | 15 |
| Ali Abdi | Nice | 32 | 28 |
| Yan Valery | Young Boys | 26 | 10 |
| Alaa Ghram | Shakhtar Donetsk | 24 | 6 |
| Amine Cherni | Göztepe | 24 | 2 |
| Adam Arous | Kasımpaşa | 21 | 1 |
Midfielders
| Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ellyes Skhiri | Eintracht Frankfurt | 31 | 72 |
| Aïssa Laïdouni | Al-Wakrah | 29 | 48 |
| Ferjani Sassi | Al Gharafa | 33 | 84 |
| Hannibal Mejbri | Burnley | 23 | 32 |
| Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane | Al Ahly | 26 | 38 |
| Anis Slimane | Norwich City | 25 | 18 |
| Hamza Rafia | Lecce | 27 | 30 |
| Mortadha Ben Ouanes | Kasımpaşa | 31 | 12 |
Forwards
| Player | Club | Age | Caps |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elias Achouri | FC Copenhagen | 27 | 16 |
| Ismaël Gharbi | Braga (loan from Braga) | 22 | 4 |
| Hazem Mastouri | Dinamo Makhachkala | 26 | 3 |
| Youssef Msakni (C) | Espérance Tunis | 35 | 105 |
| Sayfallah Ltaief | Sparta Rotterdam | 25 | 10 |
| Sebastian Tounekti | Celtic | 23 | 2 |
Key inclusions
Hannibal Mejbri returns after missing March fixtures through injury. The Burnley midfielder’s combative style and set-piece delivery make him a likely starter in Lamouchi’s 3-5-2 system. His ability to progress the ball through carries — a rare profile in Tunisia’s midfield — is central to how Lamouchi wants to transition from defense to attack.
Ferjani Sassi was recalled after being surprisingly omitted from Lamouchi’s first squad in March. The 33-year-old brings 84 caps of experience and a passing range that complements Skhiri’s defensive presence in the double pivot.
Montassar Talbi was available again after missing March fixtures by personal request. The Lorient center-back is Tunisia’s best defender and essential to organizing the back three.
Sebastian Tounekti, the 23-year-old Celtic winger, earned his first tournament call-up after a productive season in Scotland, providing a direct running option off the bench.
Notable omissions
Wahbi Khazri (35, Montpellier) was not selected, ending his international career with 74 caps. Khazri scored in both the 2018 and 2022 World Cups but was told by Lamouchi that the team was moving in a younger direction.
Issam Jebali (Gamba Osaka) and Taha Yassine Khenissi (Kuwait SC) were on the preliminary list but missed the final cut as Lamouchi opted for Mastouri and Tounekti as the reserve forwards behind Msakni.
Saîf-Eddine Khaoui (Clermont) and Naim Sliti (Al-Ettifaq) were also omitted, marking a clear generational shift in Tunisia’s attacking options.
Tactical outlook
Lamouchi has installed a 3-5-2 system since taking over in January, a departure from the 4-3-3 Tunisia used in qualifying under previous management. The back three of Talbi, Meriah, and Bronn provides experience and aerial dominance — critical against the physical forwards in Group F.
The wing-back pairing of Valery and Abdi is selected for work rate and crossing ability, tasked with providing width in a system without traditional wingers. In midfield, Skhiri and Sassi form a double pivot designed to shield the back three and release Hannibal between the lines.
Up front, Msakni operates as a free-roaming second striker behind Mastouri, with Achouri offering a pace alternative off the bench. The system is built to defend compactly and attack through quick transitions — a pragmatic approach suited to an underdog group-stage campaign.
Tunisia’s qualifying campaign — 22 goals scored, zero conceded in 10 matches — demonstrated defensive organization that Lamouchi has preserved while adding more attacking structure through the wing-back system.
Group F outlook
Tunisia faces the most balanced group in the tournament, with no clear weak team:
- vs Sweden (Los Angeles, June 15) — The opener against a physically imposing Sweden side that mirrors Tunisia’s own strengths. Set pieces and defensive discipline will likely decide this match.
- vs Japan (Los Angeles, June 21) — Japan’s technical quality and Moriyasu’s 3-4-2-1 present a very different challenge. Tunisia’s compact 3-5-2 could frustrate Japan if the Samurai Blue’s key players are not fully fit.
- vs Netherlands (Vancouver, June 26) — The group favorite and Tunisia’s hardest match on paper. A result here would be historic.
Realistically, Tunisia needs at least 4 points from the Sweden and Japan matches to have a chance at advancing. The group’s balance means any team can take points from any other — Lamouchi’s defensive organization gives Tunisia a puncher’s chance in every match.
Fan planning links
- Group F full analysis
- Los Angeles host city guide
- Vancouver host city guide
- How to watch legally
- Squad tracker — all 48 teams
Sources checked
- FTF (Tunisian Football Federation) official announcement
- Foot-Afrique / Africa Soccer squad reporting
- SI.com Tunisia World Cup preview
- FBref roster data
- Yahoo Sports Tunisia squad projection