Tunisian Squad for the 2026 World Cup Raises Questions
The suspense is over, and the list of 26 players selected by Tunisian national team coach Sabri Lamouchi for the 2026 World Cup is no longer a secret. While it was expected that the list would not be perfect and would not be universally accepted, many had hoped for more clarity and consistency in Lamouchi's choices.
The delay in the press conference announcing the list suggests that Lamouchi and his team were still uncertain and hesitant until the last minute, and that the final decisions were not easy to make. Lamouchi should have made his choices clear in his mind at least 24 hours before the press conference, as is customary for coaches. His attempts to justify the delay were not convincing and may have fueled criticism from those who had their own preferred list.
Lamouchi is entitled to say, "This is my list, my choices, and I take full responsibility for them." However, he should not give the impression that he is right against everyone else.
Unclear Direction
Of the 26 players selected, 19 will be playing in their first World Cup. Is this a sign of a new generation of players, a new backbone, and a new style of play? The fact that Lamouchi highlighted the good form of veteran players like Ferjani Sassi and Ali Mâaloul, while not selecting them, is intriguing.
The inclusion of Rani Khedira (32 years old) as a key player in the midfield, despite his age, raises questions about the criteria used to select the team. The decision to keep Dylan Bronn, who has been out of action for a long time, in the list of central defenders is also puzzling.
The selection of three central defenders (Montasser Talbi, Omar Rekik, and Adem Arous) who have been recalled, as well as several alternatives (Alâa Ghram and Hamza Jelassi) who have more playing time and are good substitutes, suggests that Lamouchi is trying to balance experience and youth.
Sacrifices Made
Ghaith Zâalouni, who had an impressive end to the season as a right-back with Club Africain, was sacrificed to keep the duo Yan Valery-Moatez Neffati, who are considered more effective in defensive work. Amine Cherni, who has a place in a future team structure, was preferred to Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida and Mortadha Ben Ouannès, who are more versatile players.
Saifallah Ltaief, one of the best talents in the attacking line, was not selected, despite his potential. Elyès Achouri was chosen over Sébastien Tounekti and Elias Sâad on the right wing, despite his recent struggles on the left wing.
The exclusion of goalkeeper Béchir Ben Saîd, who has always been a part of the selection, is also surprising. He has better statistics than Aymen Dahmen, Abdelmouhib Chamekh, and Sabri Ben Hassen, and has more experience in big games in the Champions League.
While it is understandable that not all candidates can be satisfied in a list with a maximum of 26 players, the long list of disappointed and frustrated players raises questions about Lamouchi's ability to resist external pressures and calculations.
