Tunisia World Cup 2018 profile: Best bets, ones to watch & more

Football

Sun June 17, 2018 · 6y ago

Everything you need to know about Tunisia's strengths, history, and how they qualified for the 2018 World Cup.

Tunisia Factfile

FIFA World Ranking: 14
World Cup appearances: 4
Sky Bet outright winner odds: 1000/1
Best Bet: Wahbi Khazri top Tunisian scorer 3/1
Best World Cup finish: Group stage
Nick name: Les Aigles de Carthage (The Eagles of Carthage)

Coach - Nabil Maaloul: They are managed by ex-Tunisia international Nabil Maaloul, who is in his second spell in charge of the national team having previously quit during qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

Legend - Radhi Jaidi: A rock at the back for his country for over 100 caps, Jaidi made a name for himself in England where he played for Bolton, Birmingham and Southampton to become a footballing hero back in Tunisia.

Star man - Whabi Khazzri: The Sunderland midfielder needs to shine when Tunisia open their campaign against England in Volgograd. His pace and dribbling ability are his best assets.

Did you know? Tunisia are a nothing if not consistent at World Cups as they’ve got the same record in their last three trips to the tournament – losing two and drawing one game every time.

Fun fact: Many movies utilise Tunisia’s landscapes. The most notable franchise to take advantage of this are the Star Wars films.

Qualifying: Finished top of Group A in the African qualification stages, winning four games and drawing two, losing none.

Fixtures: England (7pm, June 18, Volgograd Arena), Belgium (1pm, 23 June, Okrytiye Arena), Panama (7pm, 28 June, Mordovia Arena)

Tunisia squad

Goalkeepers: Farouk Ben Mustapha (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Moez Hassen (Chateauroux, France), Aymen Mathlouthi (Al Baten, Saudi Arabia)

Defenders: Rami Bedoui (Etoile du Sahel), Yohan Benalouane (Leicester City, England), Syam Ben Youssef (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Dylan Bronn (Gent, Belgium), Oussama Haddadi (Dijon, France), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly, Egypt), Yassine Meriah (CS Sfaxien), Hamdi Nagguez (Zamalek, Egypt)

Midfielders: Anice Badri (Esperance), Mohamed Amine Ben Amor (Al Ahli Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), Ghaylene Chaalali (Esperance), Ahmed Khalil (Club Africain), Saifeddine Khaoui (Troyes, France), Ferjani Sassi (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Ellyes Skhiri (Montpellier, France), Naim Sliti (Dijon, France), Bassem Srarfi (Nice, France)

Forwards: Fakhreddine Ben Youssef (Al Ittifaq, Saudi Arabia), Saber Khalifa (Club Africain), Wahbi Khazri (Rennes, France)

Tunisia Profile

Tunisia are at their highest ever FIFA World Ranking at 14, but they'll be without their star man Youssef Msakni for the tournament after he suffered a cruciate ligament injury to rule him out of contention.

Tunisia players celebrate after qualifying for the World Cup

Coach Nabil Maaloul had previously said playing without Msakni would be similar to Argentina taking part without Lionel Messi or Portugal playing without Cristiano Ronaldo, such is his impact on the team.

Still, they were unbeaten in qualifying so arrive in Russia full of confidence and have had positive results in the build-up to the tournament when beating Iran and Costa Rica and drawing with European champions Portugal.

Who to watch out for

Without Msakni, Sunderland midfielder Wahbi Khazri will be asked to step up and lead the side with his attacking intent - he's also the side's set piece specialist.

Goalkeeper and captain Aymen Mathlouthi is often a busy man behind a sometimes suspect defence, and his form could be key to any Tunisian success.

How did they qualify?

Polish coach Henryk Kasperczak left his role, being replaced by Nabil Maaloul, after the African Nations Cup despite Tunisia winning their first two World Cup qualifiers.

Games against DR Congo proved vital - a 2-1 win at home was followed by a 2-2 draw in the away tie where Tunisia had to come back from two goals down.

Youssef Msakni then banged in a hat-trick to get the better of Guinea.

Any interesting facts about Tunisia?

Tunisia has thriving wildlife. Tigers, lions and many other wild animals flourish in Tunisia.

Tunisia has over 700 miles of coastlines, making its beaches a huge tourism attraction.

Tunisia has a population of just over 11,000,000, with their official language being Arabic. The country is highly religious, with the majority being of Islamic faith.

Tunis is the capital city of Tunisia, with its famous Medina being categorised as a World Heritage Site.

Tunisia actually has some coverage of the Sahara desert, famous for its long and rolling sand dunes.

Tunisia gained their own independence in 1956, when they broke away from the French.

Any famous football moments?

Tunisia beat Nigeria on penalties in the semi-final of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 and went on to win as host country vs Morocco, sparking scenes of jubilation.

In 1978 Tunisia became the first ever African nation to win an official World Cup finals game, coming from behind to beat Mexico 3-1, before almost topping their achievement immediately when they drew with the highly respected West Germany. Unfortunately for Tunisia, they were eliminated.