Population: 11.3 million
Capital: Tunis
Team Colors: White and Red
How Qualified: Won CAF Final Round Group A
Nickname: The Carthage Eagles
5th World Cup
Head Coach: Nabil Maaloul (TUN)
Key Players: Wahbi Khazri (Rennes), Aymen Mathlouthi (Al-Batin), Fejani Sassi (Al-Nassr)
Best Performance: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006)
Can they bounce back from their injuries? Despite a strong midfield, the Carthage Eagles will be missing an important attacking piece in Youssef Msakni. Also question marks are Ben Amor and Ali Maaloul.
Tunisia has never advanced past the group stage in the previous four World Cups they have participated in. The draw does them no favors in doing anything different this time around opening against England and Belgium.
Their depth is at midfield with Wahbi Khazri, Fejani Sassi, and Mohamed Amine Ben Amor. However, Ben Amor as stated is an injury doubt for Russia. They also showed their bounce-backability in coming from behind to snatch four points from DR Congo to ensure their qualification.
They are a workmanlike team, but the only realistic chance to gain anything at this World Cup would be in the finale against Panama. Unfortunately, they are the least likely of the five African sides to advance to the next round.
Tunisia already had a difficult draw for Russia. It is made more difficult with the injury situation they have right now. It may be too difficult for a workmanlike team with a deep midfielder.
Schedule:
June 18: vs. England in Volgograd (1pm CT on FS1/Telemundo)
June 23: vs. Belgium in Moscow (Spartak) (7am CT on FOX/Telemundo)
June 28: vs. Panama in Saransk (1pm CT on FS1/NBC Universo)
Tunisia
2018 World Cup
October, 2018
September, 2018
