Tunisia in the World Cup: A New Generation Seeks Historic Achievement

The Tunisian national team enters the 2026 World Cup finals with great ambitions after delivering one of the strongest qualifying campaigns in Africa, having qualified without conceding a single goal in ten full matches.

Despite the notable defensive stability, the period leading up to the World Cup witnessed several changes at the technical staff level before the Tunisian Football Federation settled on the French-Tunisian coach Sabri Lamouchi, who took over the role following the exit from the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year.

Since his arrival, Lamouchi launched a new project focused on injecting young blood into the team while reducing reliance on some veteran players. He also demonstrated tactical flexibility by switching between the 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations during recent friendly matches, in an attempt to find the ideal lineup that could lead the "Eagles of Carthage" to advance beyond the group stage for the first time in their World Cup history.

Hannibal Mejbri is currently the standout star of the Tunisian national team, having become the team's technical leader and the wearer of the number 10 jersey, previously worn by Wahbi Khazri.

The young midfielder has developed significantly in recent years and has become the playmaker and one of Tunisia's main offensive weapons. Ismael Gharbi also stands out as one of the anticipated talents in the tournament, while left-back Ali Abdi represents a model of a tenacious player who established himself as a starter after years of waiting.

Tunisia is also counting on its fans, known for their strong presence in major tournaments, as it is expected that they will accompany the team in large numbers in the United States and Mexico.

While the official goal remains unannounced, the greatest hope lies in writing a new chapter in Tunisian football history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time, benefiting from a mix of experience and youth that characterizes its current lineup, in a tough group with the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden.