Hannibal Mejbri injury raises alarm for Tunisia ahead of World Cup

Concerns are mounting within the Tunisian camp after midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was forced off injured during their international friendly against Austria on Monday night.

The 78th-minute withdrawal came after the Burnley midfielder picked up a knock, bringing an abrupt end to what had been an important test match for the Eagles of Carthage as they fine-tune preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The nature and severity of the injury remain unclear, but the sight of Mejbri leaving the pitch will be a significant worry for Tunisia’s technical team given his growing influence in midfield.

The setback comes at a delicate time, with Tunisia drawn in a challenging Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden and Japan for the tournament in North America.

The group is widely regarded as one of the most competitive in the competition, placing added importance on the fitness and form of key players in the squad.

Mejbri’s potential absence, if the injury proves serious, would be a major blow to Tunisia’s hopes of navigating the group stage. The 21-year-old has become an increasingly central figure in the national setup, offering energy, creativity and composure in midfield.

Further medical assessments are expected in the coming days as Tunisia await a clearer picture of the midfielder’s condition.