Tunisia recall experienced players as Mouine Chaabani seeks to rebuild trust

Mouine Chaabani has opted for reconciliation rather than a complete overhaul as he begins his tenure as Tunisia manager, recalling several senior players who were left out before the 2026 World Cup.

The new manager could have used the aftermath of Tunisia’s difficult tournament to make a decisive break with the past. Instead, his first squad keeps much of the existing structure, welcomes back several established internationals and introduces a limited number of new faces.

The selection suggests Chaabani is attempting to restore unity within the national team rather than start again from scratch.

Ali Maaloul, Ferjani Sassi, Aissa Laidouni, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and Hamza Rafia all return after missing the World Cup. For some of them, exclusion from the tournament had appeared to mark the end of their international careers.

Their recalls also represent a clear change in direction from the previous management. When Sabri Lamouchi announced his first squad, he left out several long-serving players, including Sassi and Ben Romdhane.

Chaabani’s decision indicates that players will not remain outside the Tunisia set-up simply because they were dropped before he took charge. Experience, familiarity with the national team and the ability to cope with pressure remain important considerations for the new manager.

The approach comes after a damaging World Cup campaign in which Tunisia suffered three defeats and conceded 12 goals. The team returned from the tournament with confidence badly affected, and the returning senior players could help provide stability in a fragile dressing room.

Sassi, Maaloul and Laidouni know the demands surrounding the national team and may help guide the transition. However, relying on familiar figures also carries a risk. It could create the impression that the Carthage Eagles are looking to the past for solutions to problems exposed at the World Cup.

Bringing back experienced players may ease tensions in the short term, but it will not automatically address the deeper issues revealed during the tournament.

Chaabani has not offered a general amnesty. Ali Abdi, who later withdrew his controversial comments made before the World Cup, is not included in the first squad.

The manager has not publicly connected Abdi’s omission to that episode, meaning it cannot be assumed to be a disciplinary decision. His absence may simply reflect a footballing choice.

There is nevertheless room for renewal. Sadok Kedida has received his first call-up, while Alaa Ghram and Sayfallah Ltaief return to the squad. Their inclusion suggests Chaabani wants to correct some previous decisions without immediately overturning the established hierarchy.

The matches against Uganda and Botswana will offer an early indication of whether this balance can produce a response. For now, Herve Renard’s successor is prioritising order and confidence before attempting more significant changes.