Eagles of Carthage, Lamouchi & Group F
Tunisia World Cup 2026 guide: Sabri Lamouchi’s squad, captain Ellyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri, tactics, Group F outlook and our prediction for the Eagles of Carthage.
Tunisia
Eagles of Carthage · CAF · Group F
Everything at a glance
- Nickname
- Eagles of Carthage Les Aigles de Carthage
- Confederation
- CAF Africa
- FIFA Ranking
- 44th As of April 2026
- Head Coach
- Sabri Lamouchi Took charge in January 2026 after replacing Sami Trabelsi; a former France international and experienced manager
- Captain
- Ellyes Skhiri Midfielder; heartbeat of the side; reportedly the squad's only Champions League player this season
- World Cup Appearances
- 7th Including 2026
- Best Finish
- Group stage Have never advanced beyond the group stage
- Group
- Group F Netherlands, Japan, Sweden
A North African football institution — one of the continent’s most consistent World Cup qualifiers and the first African nation to win a finals match.
Tunisia are a North African football institution — the Eagles of Carthage — and one of the continent’s most consistent World Cup qualifiers. The 2026 finals mark their seventh overall appearance and continue a strong recent run of attendance. Tunisia made history in 1978 as the first African nation to win a match at a World Cup finals, and they remain a proud, well-organised side capable of frustrating bigger opponents.
The team enters 2026 under Sabri Lamouchi, who took charge in January 2026 after replacing Sami Trabelsi, and who has refreshed the squad with several new faces. A former France international and experienced club and international manager, Lamouchi inherits a disciplined group built around European-based talent and a defensively resilient framework.
Tunisia made history in 1978 as the first African nation to win a match at a World Cup finals, and they remain a proud, well-organised side capable of frustrating bigger opponents.
The classic tournament underdog with bite — they famously beat France in the 2022 group stage.
Tunisia are the classic tournament underdog with bite. Organised, physically robust and tactically streetwise, they have a habit of giving favourites uncomfortable afternoons — they famously beat France in the 2022 group stage. With a captain in Ellyes Skhiri who has played Champions League football and a wave of young, dual-nationality talent choosing the Eagles, Tunisia carry both grit and intrigue. A new manager and a refreshed squad add an element of unpredictability.
Clear underdogs in a tough group — but the expanded format offers a faint third-place lifeline.
As the lowest-ranked side in a tough Group F, Tunisia are clear underdogs against the Netherlands, Japan and Sweden. Their realistic goal is to be competitive, frustrate at least one favourite and chase the slim chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams in the expanded 48-team format. History weighs heavy: Tunisia have never progressed beyond the group stage.
Two possible outcomes
Reaching the knockout rounds for the first time would be a landmark achievement; a spirited group campaign with a notable scalp would be a respectable outcome.
Lamouchi’s squad
Likely starters marked (S). Based on reported 2026 squad with new call-ups; confirm against FIFA’s official list.
Goalkeepers
3- Sabri Ben Hassan
- Abdelmouhib Chamakh
- Aymen Dahmene
Defenders
9- Ali Abdi
- Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida
- Adem Arous
- Dylan Bronn
- Raed Chikhaoui
- Moutaz Neffati
- Omar Rekik
- Montassar Talbi
- Yan Valery
Midfielders
7- Mortadha Ben Ouanes
- Anis Ben Slimane
- Ismael Gharbi
- Rani Khedira
- Hadj Mahmoud
- Hannibal Mejbri
- Ellyes Skhiri
Forwards
7- Elias Achouri
- Khalil Ayari
- Firas Chaouat
- Rayan Elloumi
- Hazem Mastouri
- Elias Saad
- Sebastian Tounekti
The names that decide it
Composed, tireless and tactically intelligent — the heartbeat of the side. Importance: Midfield anchor and leader. Fact: Reportedly the only Tunisian playing Champions League football this season.
Energetic, combative and creative, heading to his second consecutive World Cup. Importance: Drive and tempo in midfield. Fact: Came through Manchester United’s academy before his Premier League move.
A reliable, experienced shot-stopper who has become a fixture for the Eagles. Importance: Last line of defence against elite attacks. Fact: Has earned around 37 caps for Tunisia.
Physical, aerially strong and dependable at the back. Importance: Defensive solidity against pacey forwards. Fact: A regular in Tunisia’s organised back line.
Quick and direct, one of the squad’s emerging attacking threats. Importance: Pace and creativity on the counter. Fact: Part of the dual-nationality generation strengthening Tunisia’s pool.
Breakout Player
Sebastian Tounekti — A pacey, exciting wide attacker among the newer faces in Lamouchi’s squad. If given minutes against tiring defences, his directness could provide Tunisia’s most dangerous moments going forward.
Most Underrated Player
Aissa Laidouni — The unglamorous midfield destroyer whose ball-winning and aggression let Skhiri dictate. He rarely makes headlines, but his work allows Tunisia’s structure to function against superior opponents.
Compact, disciplined and built to frustrate — defence first, pace on the counter.
Lamouchi is expected to set Tunisia up pragmatically — a compact, disciplined block, likely a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 that prioritises defensive shape and rapid transitions. The Eagles defend deep against stronger sides, rely on Skhiri and Laidouni to screen the back four, and look to counter through pace out wide and set-piece threat. Organisation, work rate and game management are their calling cards rather than possession dominance.
By the numbers
Attack: Lacks a proven elite scorer; relies on pace and moments.
Midfield: Skhiri, Mejbri and Laidouni form a competitive, energetic unit.
Defense: Organised and physical, but exposed against the best.
Goalkeeping: Dahmen is dependable and experienced.
Depth: A refreshed squad with several untested newcomers.
Experience: Seventh World Cup, but a new coach and many new faces.
Seven appearances — Africa’s trailblazers who have never escaped the group stage.
Tunisia are seven-time World Cup participants. Their landmark moment came in 1978, when they became the first African nation to win a World Cup finals match, beating Mexico. Despite regular qualification — including 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018 and 2022 — Tunisia have never advanced beyond the group stage. Their 2022 campaign produced a memorable highlight: a victory over reigning champions France, even though it was not enough to progress. The Eagles remain a symbol of African footballing pride and consistency.
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1978
First African nation to win a World Cup match — beat Mexico
Tunisia made history as the first African nation to win a match at a World Cup finals, defeating Mexico.
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1998–2006
Consistent qualification run — group stage each time
Tunisia qualified for 1998, 2002 and 2006, establishing themselves as one of Africa’s most reliable World Cup sides, though exiting at the group stage each time.
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2022
Beat reigning champions France — still exited at group stage
A memorable highlight: Tunisia beat reigning champions France in the group stage, yet it was not enough to progress.
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2026
Seventh appearance — aiming to break the group-stage ceiling
Under new coach Sabri Lamouchi and with a refreshed squad, Tunisia arrive at their seventh World Cup aiming to finally reach the knockout rounds.
Africa’s first World Cup winners — and the team that shocked France in 2022
Tunisia were the first African nation to win a World Cup finals match (1978, beating Mexico)
Tunisia were the first African nation to win a World Cup finals match (1978, beating Mexico).
They beat reigning champions France in the 2022 group stage
They beat reigning champions France in the 2022 group stage.
2026 is Tunisia’s seventh World Cup appearance
2026 is Tunisia’s seventh World Cup appearance.
Tunisia have never advanced beyond the group stage
Tunisia have never advanced beyond the group stage.
Sabri Lamouchi, a former France international, took charge in January 2026
Sabri Lamouchi, a former France international, took charge in January 2026.
Captain Ellyes Skhiri is reportedly the squad’s only Champions League player this season
Captain Ellyes Skhiri is reportedly the squad’s only Champions League player this season.
The nickname Eagles of Carthage references the ancient city near modern Tunis
The nickname Eagles of Carthage references the ancient city near modern Tunis.
The squad increasingly features dual-nationality players raised in Europe
The squad increasingly features dual-nationality players raised in Europe.
Africa’s great frustrators — with a habit of stunning favourites.
- Giant-frustrators — Tunisia have a habit of stunning favourites, as France learned in 2022.
- Defensive grit — A masterclass in organisation and resilience.
- The underdog dream — Could this be the year they finally reach the knockouts?
- Passionate support — One of Africa’s most fervent fanbases behind them.
Group-stage exit likely — but capable of one memorable upset against a Group F favourite.
Tunisia face arguably the toughest possible draw and start as Group F’s clear underdogs. Their best hope is to defend deep, stay compact and snatch a famous result against one of the favourites — a repeat of their 2022 France shock is not impossible. Realistically, group-stage elimination is the likely outcome, though the expanded format gives a faint third-place lifeline.
