The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) has officially announced its final 26-man squad for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Head coach Sabri Lamouchi has finalised a roster that blends seasoned international veterans with emerging talents from various European and North American leagues. Key inclusions in the squad feature Norwich City midfielder Anis Ben Slimane and Vancouver Whitecaps forward Raphaël Éli-Ami.
Tournament Overview and Group Dynamics
Tunisia, colloquially known as the “Carthage Eagles,” will compete in Group F. This group is expected to be highly competitive, featuring Japan, the Netherlands, and Sweden. The team’s campaign will commence on 15 June at the Monterrey Stadium in Mexico, where they are scheduled to face Sweden. Following this opener, Lamouchi’s side will return to the same venue on 21 June for their second group fixture against Japan.
Tunisia Group F Match Schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Venue |
| 15 June | Sweden | Monterrey Stadium, Mexico |
| 21 June | Japan | Monterrey Stadium, Mexico |
| TBA | Netherlands | TBA |
The Inclusion of Raphaël Éli-Ami
The most notable selection in the squad is the 25-year-old forward Raphaël Éli-Ami. His journey to the Tunisian national team is documented by a brief stint with the Canadian national setup. In January, Éli-Ami made an appearance for Canada in a friendly match against Guatemala. However, because the fixture was classified as a ‘B’ level match, it did not constitute an official senior cap under FIFA regulations.
This technicality allowed the forward to switch his international allegiance. Following his decision to represent Tunisia, he earned his debut during the March international window, where his performance secured the approval of Sabri Lamouchi. At the club level, Éli-Ami has recorded two goals and two assists in 24 appearances for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Tactical Composition
Coach Lamouchi has constructed the squad by integrating players from prominent European leagues. The midfield remains the engine room of the team, with responsibilities falling to Ellyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri, and Anis Ben Slimane. Defensively, the team will rely on the stability provided by Dylan Bronn and Omar Rekik.
Tunisia’s 26-Man Final Squad:
Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen, Sabri Ben Hessen, Mouhib Al-Shamikh.
Defenders: Montassar Talbi, Dylan Bronn, Omar Rekik, Yan Valery, Ali Abdi, Moataz Nafti, Raed Shekhaoui, Adam Arrous.
Midfielders: Ellyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri, Amine Ben Hamida, Anis Ben Slimane, Mohamed Haj Mahmoud, Rani Khedira, Mortadha Ben Ouanes.
Forwards: Elias Achouri, Ismaël Gharbi, Elias Saad, Sebastian Tunakti, Firas Chaouat, Khalil Ayari, Hazem Mestouri, Raphaël Éli-Ami.
The squad announcement was made this afternoon at the Federation’s headquarters, marking the final stage of preparation before the team travels to North America for the tournament.