Some Surprises with the Absence of Ben Farhat, Zaalouni, Maaloul, or Ghram. The National Team Coach Defends His Choices.
La Presse — As with any selected team, there are always those who are unhappy. The same is true for the list of 26 players selected by Lamouchi for the American World Cup. Three goalkeepers, 9 defenders, and 14 midfielders and forwards, Sabri Lamouchi defended his choices, saying: "I am fully aware of my choices, and I alone assume responsibility for them. I tried to build a balanced team that can face various opposing tactics. These were difficult choices, which will not please everyone. And I am not looking to please anyone, either."
Some club supporters are disappointed because their players are not on the list, but Lamouchi has made his decision with conviction. "The national team is the real star, and its values are more important than names. I am here to help the national team succeed at the World Cup with that famous second-round cap. These selected players are well-equipped physically and mentally to last more than 90 minutes in a high-level football like the World Cup. The second round is not an impossible mission; it will be played on details, possibly."
Ben Farhat Excluded
The absence of Louay Ben Farhat has raised eyebrows, given his interesting playing time in the last American friendly tour. Lamouchi stated that the player's father had contacted him to request a postponement of the call-up. "I contacted the player; he did not respond, nor did his father. For me, he is not welcome in the selection."
As for some non-selected players, the national team coach mentioned the cases of Maaloul and Ferjani Sassi. For him, it's Ben Hmida who was preferred because he is a versatile player who masters the defensive aspect better. For Sassi, the reason is simple: they want to look to the future and count on a rejuvenated group. However, Lamouchi contradicts himself on this point: Bronn, who was retained, is an example of an old player who has lost his qualities and does not represent the future.
List of Selected Players:
- Goalkeepers:
- Aymen Dahmène (CS Sfaxien)
- Sabri Ben Hassan (Etoile du Sahel)
- Mouhib Chamekh (Club Africain)
- Defenders:
- Montassar Talbi (Lorient)
- Dylan Bronn (Servette FC)
- Omar Rekik (NK Maribor)
- Adem Arous (Kasimpasa)
- Raed Chikhaoui (US Monastir)
- Yan Valery (Young Boys)
- Mouataz Neffati (IFK Norrköping)
- Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida (Espérance de Tunis)
- Ali Abdi (Nice)
- Midfielders:
- Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Francfort)
- Mohamed Haj Mahmoud (Lugano FC)
- Hannibal Mejbri (FC Burnley)
- Rani Khedhira (Union Berlin)
- Anis Ben Slimane (Norwich City)
- Mortadha Ben Ouannès (Kasimpasa)
- Ismael Gharbi (SC Braga)
- Forwards:
- Khalil Ayari (Paris-SG)
- Elias Achouri (FC Copenhague)
- Elias Saad (Hanovre 96)
- Firas Chaouat (Club Africain)
- Hazem Mastouri (Dinamo Makhachkala)
- Rayan Elloumi (Vancouver Whitecaps)
- Sébastien Tounekti (Celtic Glasgow)
The players will arrive in three stages from May 18 to May 25, with stops on May 22, depending on their club commitments. Before that, they will play two friendly matches against Austria on June 1 and Belgium on June 6.
