Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi explains omission of high-profile players from squad for friendlies

New Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi has defended his controversial first squad selection, explaining the reasoning behind several high-profile omissions ahead of crucial pre-World Cup friendlies.

Lamouchi, who took charge following the departure of Sami Trabelsi after the Africa Cup of Nations, is already making bold decisions as he begins shaping his team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking at a press conference, the former Ivory Coast boss emphasized his preference for players competing at the highest level in Europe, suggesting they bring added value to the national team setup.

“I am convinced that the players active in Europe are capable of making an added contribution compared to the rest, and therefore I am giving them the opportunity,” Lamouchi stated. “I dealt with the available elements, and there are forced absences.”

Among the notable exclusions are experienced stars Ferjani Sassi, Ali Maaloul, and Issa Laïdouni—a decision that has sparked debate among fans and pundits.

Lamouchi explained that his familiarity with these players influenced his decision to look elsewhere during this international window. “My good knowledge of the high level of Ferjani Sassi, Ali Maaloul and Issa Laïdouni is the reason behind not calling them up,” he said. “I decided to rely on new choices in the matches against Haiti and Canada, to try out different levels before the World Cup.”

The squad also excludes Seifeddine Jaziri and Mohamed Ben Ali Ramadan, underlining Lamouchi’s intent to experiment and assess fresh options.

Despite the omissions, Lamouchi was quick to acknowledge the contributions of his senior players, particularly Sassi, while leaving the door open for their return.

“Ferjani Sassi has given a lot to the national team and I hope he will be ready for the World Cup. I will put the final list in a way that serves the interests of the national team,” he added.

Tunisia will face Haiti on March 28 before taking on Canada three days later, in what will be their final international fixtures before the World Cup. The matches are expected to give Lamouchi a clearer picture of his squad depth and tactical options.

Drawn in a challenging Group F alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and a yet-to-be-determined European playoff winner, Tunisia faces a tough road ahead. With limited time to fine-tune his squad, Lamouchi’s early decisions signal a willingness to take risks in pursuit of long-term success on the global stage.