World Cup

Manchester United's Hannibal Mejbri included in Tunisia squad for 2022 World Cup

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 14 November 2022

Tunisia name their 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup, with Manchester United's Hannibal Mejbri the youngest player to be called up.

Tunisia have confirmed their 26-man squad for the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with no uncapped players in Jalel Kadri's ranks.

The African nation will do battle with reigning champions France, Denmark and Australia in Group D, and 10 players in the squad also competed at the 2018 World Cup.

Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri is among the standout names for Tunisia, with the 19-year-old preparing to compete at his first-ever World Cup as Kadri's youngest player in Qatar.

Mejbri has assisted two goals in 15 appearances for Birmingham City during his loan spell this season and is already an established senior international with 18 caps for Tunisia.

The Red Devils teenager has previous experience when it comes to major tournaments after representing Tunisia at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, and he is the only England-based player in the ranks.

Two Ligue 1 representatives will also compete for Tunisia this winter, with Montpellier HSC's Wahbi Khazri unsurprisingly set to spearhead the attack.

Khazri scored twice and set up two more for his country at the 2018 World Cup, and the 31-year-old now has 24 goals for Tunisia, second in the all-time charts behind Issam Jemaa's 36.

Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri celebrates scoring their first goal against Costa Rica on March 27, 2018 © Reuters

Alongside Khazri from Ligue 1 is Lorient defender Montassar Talbi, who has been a regular for Les Merlus in their blistering start to the campaign.

The 24-year-old has played every minute for early-season surprise package Lorient, who sit fifth in the Ligue 1 table, and he has 22 caps to his name for Tunisia.

However, Saif-Eddine Khaoui is a notable absentee, despite the 27-year-old scoring twice and setting up two more for Clermont in Ligue 1 this season.

Elsewhere, the Eagles of Carthage's squad is as expected, with 87-cap striker Youssef Msakni - the eighth-highest appearance maker for his country - captaining the side.

Tunisia will travel to Qatar with four goalkeepers, including 73-cap Aymen Mathlouthi, the oldest player in the squad at 38 years of age.

Salernitana defender Dylan Bronn and FC Koln midfielder Ellyes Skhiri are other notable names in the Tunisian ranks, as Kadri's side prepare to meet Denmark in their opening game on November 22.

Tunisia will then tackle Australia on November 26 before finalizing their Group D run against defending champions France on November 30.

TUNISIA 2022 WORLD CUP SQUAD IN FULL:

Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien), Bechir Ben Said (US Monastir), Mouez Hassen (Club Africain), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile Sahel)

Defenders: Ali Abdi (Caen), Dylan Bronn (Salernitana), Mohamed Drager (FC Luzern), Nader Ghandri (Club Africain), Bilel Ifa (Kuwait SC), Wajdi Kechrida (Atromitos), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly), Yassine Meriah (Esperance), Montassar Talbi (Lorient)

Midfielders: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Ghailene Chaalali (both Esperance), Aissa Laidouni (Ferencvaros), Hannibal Mejbri (Birmingham City), Ferjani Sassi (Al Duhail), Ellyes Skhiri (FC Cologne)

Forwards: Anis Ben Slimane (Brondby), Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek), Issam Jebali (Odense), Wahbi Khazri (Montpellier), Taha Yassine Khenissi (Kuwait SC), Youssef Msakni (Al Arabi), Naim Sliti (Al Ittifaq)