Relying on their sturdy defence, 2004 Africa Cup of Nations champions Tunisia will be hoping to make the Round of 16 in the first-ever FIFA World Cup staged in an Arab nation.The Eagles of Carthage will be making their sixth appearance at the intercontinental showpiece after previous disappointing tournaments in 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2018.Using the World Cup as a transfer boost – several stars will try that pathThe North African nation were drawn in a fiendish group D against reigning world champions France, Euro 2020 semi-finalists, and Australia.Jalal Kadri’s men have now qualified for five of the last seven tournaments and hold an interesting piece of history after becoming the first African or Arab country to win a match at a World Cup.Tunisia have had impressive preparations to the intercontinental tourney after clinching the Kirin Cup and finished as runners-up in the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.OFFICIAL: Tunisia’s 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup. 🇹🇳— Squawka (@Squawka) November 16, 2022 A place in Qatar was sealed after beating Mali in the CAF World Cup playoffs with an own goal from Moussa Sissako sealing the two-legged tie.Following a disappointing outing at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations that was staged this year, Tunisia showed Mondher Kebaier the door and replaced him with Jalel Kadri who had previously served as the assistant.Kadri will be hoping Youssef Msakni who turns out for Qatari club Al-Arabi will don his scoring boots as he is expected to lead the blunt Tunisia attack that has not been finding the back of the net regularly.The 50-year-old tactician will be one of two coaches in Qatar that have never played a kick of senior football in the first division in any country (Canada’s John Herdman is the other).Msakni will be itching to feature in the tournament after missing the tournament back in 2018 due to injury and will be making his debut in the tournament that is expected to be his last being 32 years of age.##NAJAVA_MECA_6816087##A wild card at Kadri’s disposal will be Manchester United’s 19-year-old Hannibal Mejbri who is currently on loan at Championship side Birmingham City after starring in the FIFA Arab Cup.Despite still being a teenager, Mejbri has amassed 18 caps for Tunisia and looks primed for the big stage after winning the Denzil Haroun Reserve Player of the Year award back in 2021.Another one of the key players for Tunisia in the tourney is former Sunderland midfielder Wahbi Khazri who is now in the books of Montpellier.Two G.O.A.T paths of World Cup preparationsThe 31-year-old has 24 goals in 71 caps for Tunisia and is one of the players who possess a goal threat having already scored two goals for his club since joining them in the summer transfer window.So strong is the Tunisian defense that they failed to call Arsenal defender Omar Rekik who is currently on loan at Hertha Berlin with Montassar Talbi and Mahmoud Bronn expected to start at the heart of the Eagles of Carthage’s defense.
