Tunisia Revamps Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
Tunisia are not easing into a new cycle. They are tearing up the script.
Head coach Moine Chaabani has unveiled a dramatically reshaped squad for the opening two rounds of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, against Uganda on 24 September and Botswana on 28 September, with big names returning, World Cup faces missing, and fresh blood promoted.
At the heart of it all: Ferjani Sassi and Ali Maaloul are back.
Sassi, Maaloul Lead the Return of Heavyweights
Sassi’s recall is the headline. Once a central pillar of the Eagles of Carthage and a former captain during both the Africa Cup of Nations and the Arab Cup, he was left out of the 2026 World Cup squad. Chaabani has now reversed that decision, bringing the midfielder back into the fold despite that high-profile omission.
He is not alone. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and Aissa Laidouni also return, restoring a familiar spine in midfield. All three are active in the Qatari league, and their comeback gives Tunisia a strong, experienced core in the centre of the pitch just as qualifying begins.
On the left flank, Maaloul’s name reappears on a Tunisia list after he too missed the World Cup. His return reopens a long-standing debate at left-back and adds set-piece quality and leadership to a reshaped defence.
Ali Abdi Left Out as World Cup Core Shrinks
One of the most striking omissions is Ali Abdi. The Nice defender does not make the cut, despite having publicly apologised for comments that caused a storm in Tunisia, when he said he was ready to miss the World Cup to help his club in the relegation play-offs. The apology has not been enough to earn him a place this time.
The break with the World Cup squad is sharp. Only 14 players from the recent tournament have survived into this new list. The rest is churn.
Hannibal Mejbri is absent through injury, removing one of the most creative young options in midfield. Rani Khedira and Elyes Skhiri are no longer available, both having retired from international football, stripping Tunisia of two experienced, defensively minded midfielders.
Several other World Cup names drop out: Firas Chaouat, Dylan Bronn, Omar Rekik, Mohamed Haj Mahmoud, Mortadha Ben Ouanes and Elias Saad all miss out as Chaabani redraws the hierarchy.
This is not tinkering. It is a reset.
New Blood for a New Cycle
With so many senior figures gone, opportunity knocks.
Club Africain striker Mohamed Sadok Guidida receives his first senior call-up, a reward for his domestic form and a clear signal that Chaabani is ready to trust local talent in key attacking roles. Joining him among the debutants is Sami Chouchane of Dijon, another fresh face who will compete for minutes in a reconfigured midfield.
The mix is deliberate: familiar leaders returning, a trimmed-down World Cup contingent, and rookies stepping into the light as AFCON 2027 qualifying begins.
Tunisia Squad for AFCON 2027 Qualifiers vs Uganda and Botswana
- Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen, Sabri Ben Hassen, Mouhib Chamekh.
- Defence: Yann Valery, Moatez Neffati, Adam Arous, Mohamed Nasraoui, Montassar Talbi, Alaa Ghram, Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida, Amine Charni, Ali Maaloul.
- Midfield: Ferjani Sassi, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Aissa Laidouni, Hamza Rafia, Sami Chouchane, Ismail Gharbi, Anis Ben Slimane.
- Attack: Khalil Ayari, Seifallah Ltaief, Elyes Achouri, Rayan Layouni, Sebastien Tounekti, Hamza Mastouri, Sadok Guidida.
Familiar names have returned. Others have gone for good. The message from Chaabani is unmistakable: the World Cup cycle is over, and the fight for places in this new-look Tunisia starts now.
