Tunisia return to the World Cup after the agony of missing out on the last two editions. The wait was all the more painful considering that Tunisia had previously managed to qualify for three World Cup tournaments in a row. The team struggled though, barely edging out RD Congo and Lybia in the playoff game.
Tunisia will be without Youssef Msakni, arguably their most influential player. The Tunisians’ top scorer in the qualifying rounds picked up an injury just before the start of the tournament and will play not part in his team’s campaign.
The Africans are another team which many be largely unknown to global footballs fans, but that has proven its quality. With this in mind their group rivals will be under serious threat if they choose to underestimate them.
– Star players: Wahbi Khazri, Elyess Skhiri
– FootballCoin stars:
Wahbi Khazri (Rennes) 10,743.06 seasonal points (Pro), 4,860.90 points (Easy)
– Coach: Nabil Maaloul
– Group: G
– Group fixtures:
Mon June 18: Tunisia – England, Volgograd, 7pm
Sat June 23: Belgium – Tunisia, Moscow (Spartak), 1pm
Thu June 28: Panama – Tunisia, Saransk, 7pm
– Prediction:
Another team which can be said is simply happy to be part of the competition, Tunisia has the ability to pull off a surprise. Certainly England and Belgium are behemoths of the group and among the competition favorites. Panama is no pushover either judging by the kind of football they managed to play in the qualifiers. Yes, Tunisia on paper looks certain to leave the World Cup after their first three games, but the team should demand more of themselves. And if they do, chances are they’ll find what they’re looking for.
– Squad:
Goalkeepers: Mathlouthi Aymen (Al Batin, Saudi Arabia),Ben Mustapha Farouk (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Moez Hassen (LB Chateauroux, France)
Defenders: Hamdi Nagguez (Zamalek, Egypt), Dylan Bronn (Gent, Belgium), Rami Bedoui (ES Setif), Yohan Ben Olouane (Leicester City, England), Siyam Ben Youssef (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Yessine Meriah (CS Sfaxien), Oussama Haddai (Dijon, France), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly, Egypt);
Midfielders: Elyess Skhiri (Montpellier, France), Mohamed Amine Ben Amor (Al Ahly, Saudi Arabia), Ferjani Sassi (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Ahmed Khlil (Club Africain), Seifeddine Khaoui (Troyes, France)
Forwards: Fakhreddine Ben Youssef (Al Ittifaq, Saudi Arabia), Anice Badri (ES Tunis), Bassem Srarfi (Nice, France), Wahbi Khazri (Rennes, France), Naim Sliti (Dijon, France)
– World Cup history: 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006
