All 32 teams participating in the World Cup in Qatar are introduced.
This time, we will introduce Group D, Tunisia, whose coach was sacked after their elimination from the last eight of the Africa Cup of Nations before the playoffs for the World Cup in Qatar, but who managed to escape the onslaught of Mali in the playoffs to qualify for the tournament.
Basic Information
| Number of appearances | 6th |
| Highest Achievement | Eliminated from the group stage |
| FIFA Ranking | 30th |
| Capital city | Tunis |
| Population | 11.94 million people |
| Manager | Jalel Kadri |
| Nickname | Aigles de Carthage (The Carthage Eagles) |
＜Results in last 6 games＞
| 6/3 | AFCON | Equatorial Guinea | 〇 | 4-0 | H |
| 6/5 | AFCON | Botswana | △ | 0-0 | A |
| 6/10 | Friendly match | Chile | 〇 | 0-2 | A |
| 6/14 | Friendly match | Japan | 〇 | 0-3 | A |
| 9/22 | Friendly match | Comoros | 〇 | 0-1 | A |
| 9/28 | Friendly match | Brazil | ● | 5-1 | A |
・The Tunisian national team is known as the “The Carthage Eagles“. At the last World Cup in Russia, they were eliminated in third place in their group, behind England and Belgium. This time, they qualified by completely shutting down Mali’s onslaught, despite being overwhelmed in terms of ball control in the playoffs.
・Kebaier was ousted after the team’s quarterfinal loss in the Africa Cup of Nations before the playoffs. He was replaced by assistant coach Kadri as interim coach. Although the change of coach was criticized by some, the team went undefeated in six matches and scored “0” goals, and it was decided that the team would go to the World Cup in Qatar under the current system.
・Under the theme of “togetherness,” the team is composed mainly of players who play in domestic leagues and Arab countries, although some of them are from Europe. With above-average tactics, skills, and physicality, the team is a candidate to be watched as an “underdog” in this year’s tournament.
Manager
| （Name） | Jalel Kadri |
| （Date of birth） | December 14, 1971（50） |
| （nationality) | Tunisia |
| （inauguration) | January 2022 |
・He has no experience as a professional athlete, but has been an instructor for 20 years.He has been assistant coach of the Tunisian national team since June 2021, and was promoted from assistant coach in January 2022 following Kebaier‘s dismissal.
・Although his lack of experience was pointed out, his passionate coaching and high communication skills led him to the World Cup, and he quickly became a hero for his country.
Basic Formations & Tactics
Transformation from traditional offensive soccer to “solid defense” Tactics and meatballs are not to be underestimated
＜Basic Formations＞
・Kebaier’s predecessor has transformed the “Eagles of Carthage,” whose tradition has been offensive soccer. Since Kebaye took over, the number of goals conceded has drastically decreased, based on an iron-clad defense. Since Kadri took over, the team has kept clean sheets in 21 of the 37 games until the match against Japan in June.
・With a solid defense, the team survived four straight matches in June without conceding a goal, led by young defensive leader Talbi, and the attack was also strong, scoring nine goals in four matches, and winning the Kirin Cup with the help of winger Msakni and FW Jebali. Preparations are steadily progressing toward the long-awaited breakthrough in the group league.
・Their strength lies in their physical play, and their strength in one-on-one matches is the key to their attack and defense. They show their strength when it comes to physical battles, but they are also tactically adept, which is why they are regarded as “ambush soldiers” by the three Group D countries.
＜At Attack＞
・When building up, they either leave the ball to the volunterists and spread out to the left or right, or wedge themselves vertically. In this case, both SBs move up high to form a top five, and both wings squeeze inside to attack up the center with three players.
・They attack the opponent’s goal with a varied repertoire, including frequent use of long balls and direct attacks after winning the ball in order to score.
＜At Defense＞
・The typical defensive pattern is based on a back four, with the final line being a tight block of [4-5-1] with midfielders and veterans
・The ball holder is pressed by several people to take the ball.
・High awareness of solidifying in front of the goal. They have a high level of defensive awareness on both wings, who divide the number of defenders and midfielders in the center to solidify the penalty area and take care of the flanks.
・The challenge is that the right side of the field can be easily backed up.
Star players（Top 4）
Youssef Msakni （FW/Al-Arabi）
・”A Dependable Captain”
・A veteran of the team with the most caps, he is the leader of the team in both offense and defense. He is known as the “Messi of the Arabs” for his dribbling skills that seem to stick to his feet.
・His scoring ability shows no sign of waning, as he has been producing a lot of goals since the start of this season. He is a constant threat in front of goal, and his volleys are accurate even in mid-range.
・He was the best player in the Qatar Stars League in the 17/18 season. He has played in a total of seven African Championships.
Montasar Omar Talbi （DF/Lorient）
・”A Classic Defensive Leader”
・He has an honest style of play and rarely loses both aerial and ground battles. He is fast and good at getting around and sliding tackling. He can also feed the ball forward with long feeds.
・A native of Paris, he began his soccer career at the academies of Paris FC and FC Les Lilas.
Ellyes Skhiri （MF/Köln）
・“Heart of Steel”
・Defensive midfielder with a high level of skill that has earned him comparisons to Bayern’s Kimmich, especially for his abundant motor skills, which in the 20/21 season made him the longest running midfielder in the Bundesliga. He covers a wide area of the pitch and is a great wall in front of the final line.
・He also has good decision-making and technique, and facilitates passing.
・In 2021 he was named Tunisia’s Player of the Year.
Hannibal Mejbri （MF/Birmingham City FC）
・”A Superstar who was Recruited by Manchester U at the age of 15″
・A creative attacking midfielder whose main position is up top or inside half, he is an excellent passer of the ball and a great starting point for attacks. He has the potential to become a world class player if he is able to showcase his commanding talent.
・In the summer of 2017, he moved to AS Monaco amidst the attention of many big clubs. However, a subsequent dispute between his family and the club led to a complete transfer to Manchester U in the summer of 19.
Players List
| Name | Age | Club team | Representative Results (Goals) | |
| Bechir Ben Said | 27 | Monastirienne | 9 caps | ・Recorded 6 clean sheets in 9 games ・Daring to leap out of the area |
| Aymen Dahmen | 25 | Sfaxien | 3 caps | ・Injured cruciate knee ligament last year, but started in two games at the Kirin Cup in June |
| Aymen MATHLOUTHI | 38 | Étoile Sportive du Sahel | 73 caps | ・Veteran goalkeeper who served as the guardian of the Tunisia national team for 10 years until the last tournament ・ Stable saving is attractive ・This time, he was called up to the national team for the first time in three years and caused controversy. |
| Mouez Hassen | 27 | Club Africain | 20 caps | ・A GK from France with excellent reflexes, he shoots in the right direction. |
| Ali Maâloul | 32 | Al Ahly | 81 caps（2） | ・In the 15/16 season, he was the leading scorer in the Tunisian League despite being a defender. |
| Bilel Ifa | 32 | Abha | 35 caps | ・Aggressive defense to contain opponents ・Returned to the national team last November after 8 years |
| Mohamed Drager | 26 | Luzern | 32 caps（3） | ・High ability to assist ・Born in Germany |
| Montasar Omar Talbi | 24 | Lorient | 20 caps | ・Trained at the prestigious Esperance |
| Ali Abdi | 28 | Caen | 9 caps（1） | ・Scored 7 goals in the French 2nd division in the 20/21 season while playing SB. |
| Dylan Daniel Mahmoud Bronn | 27 | Salernitana | 35 caps（2） | ・Strong CBs against opponents |
| Rami Kaib | 25 | Heerenveen | 2 caps | ・Can play from SB to attacking midfielder. |
| Yassine MERIAH | 29 | Esperance | 60 caps (3) | ・Reigned as the absolute CB of the Tunisian national team for a long time ・It features a style that aggressively jumps out and crushes the opponent. -Recovered from a torn knee ligament |
| Wajdi KECHRIDA | 27 | Atromitos | 18 caps | ・Right SB who has excellent foot skills and runs up the side with a one-two on his team. |
| Ferjani Sassi | 30 | Al Duhail | 76 caps（6） | ・Rugby tackle on England’s Kane at the World Cup in Russia. |
| Naïm Sliti | 30 | Al Ettifaq | 67 caps（13） | ・Technician who cuts in front of the goal with skillful dribbling |
| Ghailene Chaalali | 28 | Espérance | 26 caps（1） | ・The role is to win the ball in the midfield and advance the situation through passing. |
| Anis Ben Slimane | 21 | Brøndby IF | 23 caps（4） | ・A highly fluid passing presence that energizes the team |
| Aissa Laidouni | 25 | Ferencvárosi | 22caps（1） | ・Physical, full-horsepower type |
| Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane | 23 | Espérance | 22 caps（1） | ・A mainstay of the national champion Espérance and winner of many crowns. |
| Hannibal Mejbri | 19 | Birmingham City | 16 caps | ・On loan to Birmingham this season in search of opportunities |
| Nader Ghandri | 27 | Club Africain | 5 caps | ・He can play both midfield and CB, and his height of 194cm is also an asset. |
| Ellyes Skhiri | 27 | FC Köln | 46 caps（3） | ・One of the members who knows the World Cup in Russia |
| Youssef Msakni | 32 | Al-Arabi | 85 caps（17） | ・Married Tunisian actress and fashion model Amira Jaziri in 2017 |
| Wahbi Khazri | 31 | Montpellier HSC | 69 caps（17） | ・Top scorer in the current national team and a master of FK |
| Taha Yassine Khenissi | 30 | Al Kuwait | 46 caps（8） | ・Tunisian league leading scorer in 16/17 and 18/19 |
| Seifeddine Jaziri | 29 | Zamalek | 28 caps（10） | ・All shots are at a high level: both feet, head and FK. |
| Issam Jebali | 30 | Odense | 9 caps（3） | ・Powerful FW who is good at pushing in one shot or one touch off the dribble |
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