At his introductory press conference as the new coach of the Tunisia national team, Sami Trabelsi kept his objectives and promises modest and realistic.
Trabelsi's first matches await in the second half of March when the Carthage Eagles travel to face Liberia before hosting Malawi in Group H of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Tunisia are currently top of a weak group that also includes second placed Namibia as well as Equatorial Guinea and Sao Tome and Principe.
2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying: Group H Table through four matches
Points | |
Tunisia | 10 |
Namibia | 8 |
Liberia | 7 |
Malawi | 6 |
Equatorial Guinea | 3 |
São Tomé and Príncipe | 0 |
The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The four best runners-up from nine groups qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative in the intercontinental playoff.
Trabelsi, wisely, only specifically addressed his expectations for World Cup qualifying in comments reported by Tunisian outlet La Presse: "I have set myself a first objective to achieve: the 2026 World Cup, otherwise I will leave without anyone having to ask me."
The appointment of the former national team defender, who represented Tunisia in 81 appearances, came after a four-month period under interim coach Kais Yaâkoubi. The former assistant manager guided Tunisia to qualification for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations but it was not straightforward for a Tunisian player pool that is in a transitional phase.
Considering the World Cup qualifying group, it would be a shock if Tunisia did not finish as Group H winners making Trabelsi's objective an easy obstacle to overcome. Trabelsi did not commit to a firm expectation for the Africa Cup of Nations finals at the end of the year, likely a smart move to avoid high demands for a squad that has notable weaknesses.
The Carthage Eagles remain a solid if unspectacular side with a strong and experienced midfield and an adequate defense. However, the attack remains inconsistent with a group containing promising players who have yet to prove themselves with the national team while formerly talismanic forwards like Youssef Msakni and Naïm Sliti are in the twilight of their careers. Young Espérance ST goalkeeper Amanallah Memmiche has also experienced growing pains after being designated as the shot stopper of the future for the national team.
A disastrous 2023 Africa Cup of Nations group stage exit and some suspense in qualifying for the 2025 edition has revealed the issues in the Tunisian team. Now with Trabelsi on board as head coach, it is up to him to find solutions to make Tunisia a formidable side again that can complete World Cup qualification and make a deep run at the Africa Cup of Nations.
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