Last year was the 20 year anniversary of Tunisia’s first and only Africa Cup of Nations triumph. Tunisia hosted the 2004 edition of the tournament, and the celebrations that erupted throughout the country were something to behold. But Tunisia have not come close to those highs at an AFCON since, with their best finish being a semi-final appearance in 2019.
Tunisia didn’t have the easiest time reaching the Africa Cup of Nations this year. The Eagles of Carthage finished second in their group behind surprise package Comoros. Tunisia suffered two defeats in the campaign, to the aforementioned Comoros and bottom of the group Madagascar. The qualifying campaign didn’t inspire much confidence back home.
Part of Tunisia’s rocky qualifying campaign could be attributed to the lack of stability in the head coaching position. Tunisia had 3 head coaches throughout the qualifying process, Montasser Louhichi, Faouzi Benzarti, and Kais Yâakoubi. The three head coaches were able to collectively help Tunisia reach their 22nd Africa Cup of Nations, but it clearly wasn’t a sustainable practice.
Stability at head coach seems to finally have arrived in the form of Sami Trabelsi, the former Tunisian international defender during his playing days. This is Trabelsi’s second stint as head coach of his country, having led Tunisia from 2011-2013. Trabelsi will want to rewrite history with Tunisia at AFCON, as his first attempt in the 2013 edition of the tournament ended with Tunisia failing to advance from the group stage.
Tunisia will be coming into this tournament as potential dark horses. They had an extremely successful 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign, going unbeaten and not allowing a single goal throughout qualifying, the joint-best defensive record in all of Africa.
Potential Starting XI
Coach
Sami Trabelsi
Sami Trabelsi’s second stint in charge of Tunisia has already been more successful than his first. Before returning to Tunisia, Trabelsi was in charge of Qatari club side Al-Sailiya SC for 10 years.
Players to Watch
Montassar Talbi
Age: 27
Position: CB
Caps/Goals: 56/3
Club: FC Lorient (France)
Talbi is one of the first names on the team sheet for Tunisia. The Lorient centre-back started and played 90 minutes in all but one qualifier for the Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup.
Ellyes Skhiri
Age: 30
Position: CM/DM
Caps/Goals: 73/3
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany)
Skhiri is the engine in the Tunisian midfield. Has been in and out of the Tunisia squad in 2025, partially dealing with a knee problem, but Skhiri is now fit and expected to play an integral role at AFCON.
Tunisia Schedule
December 23, 2025 vs. Uganda – Rabat
December 27, 2025 vs. Nigeria – Fez
December 30, 2025 vs. Tanzania – Rabat
Country Information
Did you know…
Tunisia is home to the northernmost point of the African Continent, located in Cape Angela.
