News Focus
- Ellyes Skhiri appointed new Tunisia captain following Ferjani Sassi’s exclusion from the final squad
- Rani Khedira receives first international call-up after completing naturalisation at age 32
- Ismael Gharbi and Elias Saad included in the 26-man selection for the tournament
- Tunisia drawn in challenging Group F alongside Japan, Sweden and the Netherlands
- Young striker Louey Ben Farhat omitted following request from his family
Ellyes Skhiri will lead Tunisia at the World Cup after coach Jalel Kadri handed him the captain’s armband. The Eintracht Frankfurt midfielder takes over from Ferjani Sassi, who has missed out on the final 26-man squad despite earning 101 caps for the Carthage Eagles.
The 29-year-old Skhiri brings plenty of experience to the role. He has represented his country 81 times since 2018 and started all six of Tunisia’s matches at the previous two World Cup tournaments in Russia and Qatar.
Rani Khedira is the surprise name in the squad after winning his first cap during the recent international break. The 32-year-old Union Berlin midfielder completed the naturalisation process to switch allegiance to Tunisia. He is the younger brother of Sami Khedira, who won the World Cup with Germany in 2014.
Two other Germany-based players have also received their maiden call-ups. Ismael Gharbi joins the squad from FC Augsburg, while fellow attacker Elias Saad arrives on loan from Hannover 96 in the 2. Bundesliga.
The defensive line features Omar Rekik, who previously played for Hertha BSC and now represents Slovenian side NK Maribor. However, young forward Louey Ben Farhat is not included after his father requested he be left out.
Tunisia face a difficult path through Group F. They will meet Asian champions Japan, European side Sweden and the Netherlands. The Dutch are the only team in the group yet to confirm their final selection.
Goalkeepers: Sabri Ben Hessen (Etoile Sahel), Abdelmouhib Chamakh (Club Africain), Aymen Dahman (CS Sfaxien)
Defenders: Ali Abdi (Nice), Adem Arous (Kasimpasa), Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida (Esperance), Dylan Bronn (Servette Geneva), Raed Chikhaoui (US Monastir), Moutaz Neffati (Norrkoping), Omar Rekik (NK Maribor), Montassar Talbi (Lorient), Yan Valery (Young Boys Berne)
Midfielders: Mortadha Ben Ouanes (Kasimpasa), Anis Ben Slimane (Norwich City), Ismael Gharbi (FC Augsburg), Rani Khedira (Union Berlin), Mohamed Hadj Mahmoud (Lugano), Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Forwards: Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen), Khalil Ayari (Paris St Germain), Firas Chaouat (Club Africain), Rayan Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps), Hazem Mastouri (Dynamo Makhachkala), Elias Saad (Hannover 96), Sebastian Tounekti (Celtic)