Carthage Eagles Eye Strong Start Under New Leadership
New Tunisia head coach Sami Trabelsi has wasted no time in making his mark, introducing multiple changes to his first squad selection as the Carthage Eagles continue their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
Tunisia, who top Group H, will face Liberia on March 19 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Stadium in Monrovia before hosting Malawi on March 24 at the Hammadi Agrebi Olympic Stadium in Radès.
Major Squad Overhaul
Trabelsi has brought in four newcomers, including goalkeepers Sami Helal and Abdessalem Hlaoui, alongside defenders Hamza Ben Abda and Houssem Ben Romdhane.
Striker Firas Chaouat makes his long-awaited return to the national setup after a four-year absence, while midfielders Anis Slimane and Naïm Sliti return for the first time since the AFCON 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire.
Interestingly, no players from reigning Tunisian champions Espérance de Tunis have been included in the squad, despite their strong performances in the CAF Champions League.
Tunisia’s Squad for March World Cup Qualifiers
Goalkeepers
- Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien)
- Sami Helal (Stade Tunisien)
- Abdessalem Hlaoui (US Monastir)
Defenders
- Ali Abdi (Nice, France)
- Hamza Ben Abda (Club Africain)
- Mortadha Ben Ouanes (Kasimpasa, Turkey)
- Houssem Ben Romdhane (Zarzis)
- Dylan Bronn (Akhmat Grozny, Russia)
- Nader Ghandri (Akhmat Grozny, Russia)
- Mahmoud Ghorbel (US Monastir)
- Montassar Talbi (Lorient, France)
Midfielders
- Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Ferencváros, Hungary)
- Anis Ben Slimane (Norwich City, England)
- Hannibal Mejri (Burnley, England)
- Aïssa Laïdouni (Al-Wakrah, Qatar)
- Ferjani Sassi (Al Gharafa, Qatar)
- Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany)
Forwards
- Elias Achouri (FC Copenhagen, Denmark)
- Firas Chaouat (Etoile Sahel)
- Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek, Egypt)
- Hamza Khadhraoui (Club Africain)
- Amor Yonas Layouni (Hacken, Sweden)
- Sayfallah Ltaief (FC Twente, Netherlands)
- Hazem Mastouri (US Monastir)
- Elias Saad (St. Pauli, Germany)
- Naïm Sliti (Al Shamal, Qatar)
Group H Standings Ahead of Matchday 3 & 4
| Position | Team | Points | Matches Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Tunisia | 6 | 2 |
| 2nd | Equatorial Guinea | 4 | 2 |
| 3rd | Malawi | 3 | 2 |
| 4th | Liberia | 2 | 2 |
| 5th | São Tomé and Príncipe | 1 | 2 |
| 6th | Namibia | 1 | 2 |
Trabelsi’s Tunisia: A New Era?
Tunisia remains one of Africa’s strongest football nations, having qualified for six previous World Cups, including the 2022 edition in Qatar. Trabelsi will be keen to build on this legacy while integrating new faces into the squad.
SUGGESTED FOR YOU
Morocco Gears Up for Niger & Tanzania Clashes in 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
With a blend of experience and fresh talent, Tunisia will aim to extend their lead in Group H and take a big step towards securing a spot at the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Can Trabelsi’s bold squad changes deliver immediate success? Tunisia’s journey continues on March 19 and 24.
