Tunisia Unleashes a Heavy-Hitting Lineup for the Arab Showdown

Squad Selection and Key Players

Coach Sami Trabelsi has announced a robust Tunisia squad for the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar, signaling an intent to win the title that has eluded them since 1963. The mix pairs veterans thriving in European leagues with top talents active in the Arab region, aiming for balance across all lines. Standout names such as Aymen Dhahman, Ali Maaloul, Ferjani Sassi, and Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan anchor the side, complemented by exciting talents like Naïm Sliti and the emerging forward Hazem Al-Mustori.

Goalkeepers: Aymen Dhahman, Bashir Ben Said, Nourddine El-Fertoussi. Defense: Motaz Al-Qasmi, Mohamed Ben Ali, Ali Maaloul, Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida, Yassine Meryah, Hamza Al-Jalali, Marwan Al-Sahrawi, Osama Al-Arami. Midfield: Ferjani Sassi, Houssam Taqa, Ismail Al-Gharibi, Mohamed Ali Ben Ramadan, Shihab Al-Abidi. Attack: Omar Al-Ayouni, Naïm Sliti, Nassim Dali, Rayan Allan, Hazem Al-Mustori, Firas Shawat.

The list reflects a goal of depth and versatility across the pitch, a nod to Tunisia’s long-standing football culture and tactical adaptability. The squad is rounded out by seasoned heads and dynamic youngsters ready to seize opportunities when called upon.

Image credit: EPA. The team’s preparation phase has emphasized shape, discipline, and a clear pressing plan to disrupt opposing attacks while maximizing counter-attacking moments.

Arab Cup Context and Tunisia’s Road to the Trophy

Tunisia enters the Arab Cup as the 2021 runners-up, placed in a challenging group that features the host nation Qatar plus the advancing teams from Syria-South Sudan playoff, Palestine, and Libya’s qualifiers. The team’s ambition is a second Arab title, leveraging their experience and the current squad’s cohesion built through recent friendlies and camp training.

In tune with their preparation, Tunisia has produced solid results in friendly fixtures: drawing 1-1 with Mauritania, securing 3-2 wins over Jordan and 3-0 against Namibia, and unleashing a 6-0 rout of Sao Tome and Principe. A 1-1 stalemate with Brazil in Lille offered evidence of technical resilience against a world-class opponent, reinforcing the coaching staff’s confidence ahead of the group stage in Qatar.

Under Trabelsi, the Carthage Eagles have demonstrated a sturdy defensive organization paired with a flexible attack. The team is set to compete in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying context as well, but their immediate focus remains the Arab Cup, where they will contend in a group with Qatar, and other regional rivals, with the aim of proving their worth on multiple fronts.

Arab Cup 2025 is staged across six world-class stadiums that hosted FIFA World Cup 2022 matches, underscoring Qatar’s capacity to deliver global-standard football experiences. Venues include Al Bayt, Lusail, Khalifa International, Ahmed bin Ali, 974, and Education City. Historically, the tournament’s venues have echoed the World Cup principle of turning regional battles into global showcases.

Beyond the tournament, Tunisia’s football history runs deep: the federation was formalized in 1956, and the domestic scene has been built around powerhouses Espérance de Tunis, Club Africain, Étoile du Sahel, and CS Sfaxien. The national team captured the Africa Cup of Nations in 2004 and has participated in multiple World Cup finals. Tunisian clubs have achieved continental success as well, reinforcing the country’s status as a footballing power in Africa. The current Arab Cup push is framed as a continuation of that legacy, with eyes on both Arab glory and broader African competition.

As the tournament approaches, the squad’s tactical balance—stability at the back, creativity in midfield, and sharpness in the final third—will be put to the test against diverse opponents in the Gulf region. Expect Tunisia to press high, exploit wings, and rely on set-piece proficiency to edge tight games in the group stage and beyond.

Note: The Tunisian national team’s ambition extends beyond the Arab Cup, with a view toward reaffirming their status as a perennial continental force, capable of competing with top clubs and national teams across Africa and the Arab world.

With a mix of experience and emerging talent, Tunisia aims to translate preparation into progress on the field, and perhaps, spark a new wave of football pride across the nation. If persistence, clever rotation, and sharp decision-making hold, Nobel-level humor aside, the team’s fans will celebrate a real shot at adding another celebrated chapter to Tunisia’s football history.

Punchlines: 1) If Tunisia’s plan works, even the goalposts will cheer for a knockout punchline—goal after goal, with a wink. 2) They say defense wins championships; Tunisia’s defense might need a bigger trophy case, and a stronger coffee—for after-match stretches and late-night tactical reviews. 3) And if all else fails, they can always blame the bench—because that’s where the jokes on the opposition really get sharper.