Arab Cup: Tunisia's National Team Faces Challenges in Preparation
As the national team prepares to play its first match this Monday, only eight players are currently present in the Qatari capital.
FIFA Regulations
The FIFA cannot force clubs to release their players for the Arab Cup, which it will organize for the second time from December 1 to 18 in Qatar. However, the international governing body can compel clubs to release their players for national team selections 15 days before the start of the African Cup of Nations (CAN), which will begin on December 21 in Morocco.
Team Preparation
In this regard, coach Sami Trabelsi will have his entire squad at his disposal starting from December 8. It is already known that Hazem Mastouri, Mohamed Hadj Mahmoud, and Ismaël Gharbi will be available to the national team coach on December 8, the day after the last match of the first round of the Arab Cup against Qatar.
Delegation of Six Players
Last night, the official Tunisian delegation departed for Doha on a regular flight that left Tunis in the afternoon. On board the flight were the technical and administrative staff, as well as six players: Ali Maâloul, Marouane Sahraoui, Aymen Dahmen, Firas Chaouat, Rayen Anane, and Noureddine Farhati. This small group of players trained on Wednesday and yesterday morning before heading to the airport.
Players Joining the Team
Note that a seventh player, Nacim Dendani, joined the group directly in Doha yesterday. If we count Ferjani Sassi, who plays for Al-Gharafa, only eight players are currently available to Sami Trabelsi in Qatar. Tomorrow, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Oussama Haddadi, and Amor Layouni are expected to arrive in the Qatari capital.
Esperance Players to Join Later
The players from Esperance, who will face Petro Luanda tomorrow in the second day of the group stage of the Champions League, will join the team in Doha on Sunday. The players in question are Béchir Ben Saïd, Mohamed Ben Ali, Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida, Yassine Meriah, Hamza Jelassi, Houssem Tka, and Chiheb Jebali. Moataz Naffati will also arrive in Qatar on Sunday.
Truncated Preparation
In short, the preparation for the match against Syria this Monday is, to say the least, truncated. Hopefully, we will not miss our first outing in the Arab Cup.
Arab Nations Cup in Qatar
Group Composition
- Group A: Qatar, Tunisia, Syria, Palestine
- Group B: Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Comoros
- Group C: Egypt, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait
- Group D: Algeria, Iraq, Bahrain, Sudan
Note: The top two teams from each group will qualify for the quarterfinals after the group stage.
Tunisia's Match Schedule
- Monday, December 1: 14:00 - Tunisia vs. Syria
- Thursday, December 4: 15:30 - Palestine vs. Tunisia
- Sunday, December 7: 18:00 - Qatar vs. Tunisia
