Lamouchi’s ten new Tunisia faces
Tunisia will face Canada and Haiti under Sabri Lamouchi, with a sizeable number of new players called up to the squad.
- Lamouchi begins his Tunisia tenure with two friendlies this March
- New coach has made sweeping changes to Carthage Eagles squad
- Among the new faces include 32-year-old veteran Rani Khedira
“We need to improve in every position across the team; we’ll have a new-look defensive line with Talbi and Bronn absent.” That is how Sabri Lamouchi explained his extensive changes to Tunisia’s squad before they head to Canada for two friendlies in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, where they will compete in Group F. Centre-back Montassar Talbi requested to sit out the fixtures for personal reasons, while fellow defender Dylan Bronn is sidelined due to injury.
The coach made it abundantly clear, however, that not all of his changes were down to personal circumstances or injuries. “If I use the same players as before, I might get the same results,” he said. “I’m here to achieve success and excellence, not to fail. My selection decisions are made in Tunisia’s best interests – I’m choosing players who are performing well right now.”
A footballing earthquake shook Tunisia on 18 March when Lamouchi unveiled a squad omitting several players, most notably captain Ferjani Sassi. Lamouchi said he knows Sassi’s play inside and out and has no need to assess him, while ten players included in the squad have yet to wear the national shirt in a single international match. “We must be brave enough to open the door and give our young players a chance,” Lamouchi said.
FIFA takes a look the new names set to fly with the Carthage Eagles for the upcoming March friendlies against Canada and Haiti.
Abdelmouhib Chamakh
The Club Africain goalkeeper boasts strong physical attributes for his position, standing at 192cm. He has impressed in the Tunisian league this season, keeping 14 clean sheets in 18 appearances and conceding just four goals – form that prompted Lamouchi to give him his first call-up.
Adem Arous
Although included in Tunisia’s squad for the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, Arous did not see a single minute of action. With Talbi and Bronn absent, he might now get a run against Canada and Haiti. The 21-year-old began his career with Stade Tunisien before moving at the start of the 2025/26 season to Kasımpaşa, where he has made 14 appearances out of a possible 22 in the Turkish league, chipping in with a goal and an assist.
Raed Chikhaoui
Unlike Arous, Chikhaoui has never been called up to represent Tunisia at the senior level, making this trip to Canada an ideal opportunity to show what he can do with the imposing physical presence he brings to the pitch, standing at 191cm. Chikhaoui has emerged this season with US Monastir, making 25 appearances – including four in the CAF Champions League – while scoring four goals and providing two assists so far.
Ghaith Zaalouni
The 23-year-old has yet to represent Tunisia in an official match. Despite being called up in November 2023 and March 2024, he stayed on the bench. Since then, he has impressed with Club Africain, contributing four goals in the last three league rounds to bring his tally to six goal involvements in 21 matches this season, leading Lamouchi to give him another chance with the senior squad.
Rani Khedira
Khedira, 32, had previously declined to represent Tunisia, but Lamouchi and his assistant Michael Hefele travelled to Berlin earlier this year to talk with him, resulting in his first call-up after he represented Germany at youth level. Khedira brings extensive experience in German football and a strong physical presence. He has made 29 appearances for Union Berlin this season, scoring five goals, and operates as a holding midfielder.
Khalil Ayari
The right-sided attacking winger turned 21 this past February and is currently on Paris Saint-Germain’s books on loan with an option to buy, featuring in the youth teams. That has prompted Lamouchi to offer him another opportunity with Tunisia after he was previously included in the squad in June 2025 but never took the pitch.
Omar Ben Ali
The CS Sfaxien striker will not turn 21 until April, yet he has turned heads this season with eight goals and one assist in 18 Tunisian league outings – enough for Lamouchi to add him to the team, much to his father’s delight: “My father rang me to tell me the news – he and my mother were overjoyed.”
Louey Ben Farhat
The 19-year-old striker had been tipped to make Tunisia’s squad for the most recent Africa Cup of Nations, but injury denied him. Following his return to action for Karlsruhe in January – and his five goals and an assist in Germany’s second division – Lamouchi has given him his first senior call-up.
Rayan Elloumi
At just 18, Elloumi – who grew up in Canada – has earned his first opportunity to represent Tunisia, following a stellar campaign last season in MLS Next Pro, the developmental league of Major League Soccer. He scored 11 goals and provided six assists in 18 appearances for the Vancouver Whitecaps, while also making the most of some playing time in MLS proper by finding the net twice.
Anisse Saidi
The youngest player in Tunisia’s squad at just 17 years and nine months, Saidi was raised in the United States and currently plays for San Diego FC, but he made his mark with Tunisia’s U-17 side, contributing five goals and two assists in ten matches, including a strike against Fiji at the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025™. He operates as a centre-forward and stands at 187cm.