Hannibal Mejbri’s fearless style and relentless energy make him one of Tunisia’s most intriguing talents.
Image: Instagram
*Coach — Sabri Lamouchi
*Captain — Ellyes Skhiri
*Key player — Hannibal Mejbri
*All time scorer — Issam Jemaa with 36 goals
*Best Ranking — 14th in 2018
*Worst Ranking — 65th in 2010
*Current World Ranking — 44th
*Fifa World Cup appearances — 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022 and *2026
*Fifa World Cup best finish — Group stage
TUNISIA's 2026 Fifa World Cup kit.
Image: GraphicNews
Tunisia qualified for a third successive World Cup, and seventh overall, after a near-perfect qualifying campaign, which ignited some light that they may finally advance past the group stage for the first time in 2026.
The Eagles of Carthage will contest Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden.
They made their debut at the 1978 tournament in Argentina, where they made history by becoming the first African and Arab nation to win a World Cup match, beating Mexico 3-1.
They also held eventual finalists West Germany to a respectable goalless draw, earning widespread praise for their disciplined and organised performance before exiting in the group stage.
Since then, Tunisia have featured regularly in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018 and 2022 but have never progressed beyond the group stage in six previous attempts.
Tunisia are among the host of African countries, including the likes of South Africa, who will be determined to finally break their long-standing group-stage curse and deliver a historic knockout-stage run in 2026.
Sabri Lamouchi is a French professional football manager, who during his playing career as a midfielder, played for clubs in France, Italy, and Qatar. He appeared 12 times for the France national team, scoring once.
Skhir anchors the Tunisia midfield with 74 caps and has extensive experience in both Ligue 1 and the Bundesliga.
French-born Mejbri — who played for relegated Burnley in the Premier League in the recent season, is expected to be Tunisia’s playmaker from midfield and a focal point for their creative setup.
The 23-year old will lead a host of stars such as Copenhagen winger Elias Achouri, Ellyes Skhiri and Ali Abdi, and many other prominent players.
Achouri featured in seven Champions League matches in the recent season, and Frankfurt midfielder Skhiri, played 32 games across the Bundesliga and the Champions League last season, while Abdi, brings experience at full-back having played for French club Nice.
2026 Fifa World Cup kits.
Image: GraphicNews
Currently ranked 44th by Fifa, the Eagles of Carthage will navigate Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden as following:
-Sweden, Monday June 15,
-Japan, Sunday June 21,
-Netherlands, Friday June 26.
Goalkeepers:
Sabri Ben Hassan, Abdelmouhib Chamakh, Aymen Dahmene.
Defenders: Ali Abdi, Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida, Adem Arous, Dylan Bronn, Raed Chikhaoui, Moutaz Neffati, Omar Rekik, Montassar Talbi, Yan Valery.
Midfielders: Mortadha Ben Ouanes, Anis Ben Slimane, Ismael Gharbi, Rani Khedira, Hadj Mahmoud, Hannibal Mejbri, Ellyes Skhiri.
Forwards: Elias Achouri, Khalil Ayari, Firas Chaouat, Rayan Elloumi, Hazem Mastouri, Elias Saad, Sebastian Tounekti.