Tunisia recall Ferjani Sassi and Ali Maaloul for 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers

Mein Chabani has made sweeping changes to the Tunisia squad for the opening two matches of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

The Carthage Eagles face Uganda on 24 September and Botswana on 28 September, with Ferjani Sassi and Ali Maaloul among the players recalled by the Tunisia manager.

Sassi returns after missing the 2026 World Cup, despite having captained Tunisia during the Africa Cup of Nations and the Arab Cup. Chabani has also brought back Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and Issa Laidouni, meaning three players based in the Qatar Stars League are back in the squad.

Maaloul was also absent from the World Cup but has been included this time. However, Nice defender Ali Abdi has been left out despite apologising for recent comments that caused controversy in Tunisia.

Abdi had said he was prepared to miss the World Cup to help his club during the relegation play-offs.

Compared with the World Cup squad, Hannibal Mejbri is unavailable because of injury. Rani Khedira and Ellyes Skhiri have also retired from international football, while Firas Chaouat, Dylan Bronn, Omar Rekik, Mohamed Haj Mahmoud, Mortadha Ben Ouanes and Elias Saad have not been selected.

Only 14 players from Tunisia’s most recent World Cup squad remain in the new selection. Chabani has also handed first-time call-ups to Club Africain striker Mohamed Sadok Guedida and Dijon midfielder Sami Chouchane.

The full Tunisia squad is:

Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen, Sabri Ben Hassen, Mouhib Chamakh.

Defenders: Yan Valery, Moataz Nafati, Adam Arous, Mohamed Nasraoui, Montassar Talbi, Alaa Ghram, Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida, Amin Cherni, Ali Maaloul.

Midfielders: Ferjani Sassi, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Issa Laidouni, Hamza Rafia, Sami Chouchane, Ismael Gharbi, Anis Ben Slimane.

Forwards: Khalil Ayari, Seifallah Letaief, Elias Achouri, Rayan Loumii, Sebastian Tounekti, Hamza Mestouri, Mohamed Sadok Guedida.