As the 2026 World Cup draws closer, all eyes are on Sabri Lamouchi and the Tunisia squad he'll announce on Friday, May 15. The Carthage Eagles are set to take on Group F, facing the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden—a challenging lineup that demands a carefully crafted roster.

For Tunisia, this tournament is about more than just participation. The 2004 AFCON champions are hungry to break their World Cup curse and, for the first time ever, advance past the group stage on North American soil. To get expert insight on the ideal squad, we spoke with Hichem Ghozia, the physical trainer for Tunisia during the 2022 World Cup and a former coach at CR Belouizdad.

Ghozia knows the challenge won't be easy, especially with so many players shining at the end of the season—both in the domestic league and across Europe. His philosophy? Balance experience, current form, and the ability to perform under pressure.

"I've focused on a backline that brings stability and know-how," Ghozia explains. "Montassar Talbi, Dylan Bronn, Yassine Meriah, and Ali Abdi provide that solid foundation." In midfield, he's building around a dynamic trio: Ellyes Skhiri, Aïssa Laïdouni, and Hannibal Mejbri. Up front, Ghozia is betting on youthful energy with Elias Saad, Sébastien Tounekti, and Sayfallah Ltaief.

Here's Ghozia's complete 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup:

Defenders (9): Montassar Talbi, Dylan Bronn, Yassine Meriah, Yan Valery, Ali Abdi, Alaâ Ghram, Nader Ghandri, Mortadha Ben Ouanes, Moutaz Neffati

Midfielders (8): Ellyes Skhiri, Aïssa Laïdouni, Hannibal Mejbri, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Mohamed Hadj Mahmoud, Ismaïl Gharbi, Ferjani Sassi, Rani Khedira

With this blend of seasoned veterans and rising stars, Tunisia has the tools to make history. Whether Lamouchi follows Ghozia's blueprint remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Carthage Eagles are ready to roar in 2026.