Tunisia Now · Eagles of CarthageTwo draws.One place to chase.
Tunisia's rebuild has begun with draws against Uganda and Botswana. Mouine Chaabani has reshaped the squad; the next test is Libya, with one qualifying place available outside co-hosts Uganda.
Tunisia
Where Tunisia stand now
Current situationTunisia have two points from their opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers: 1–1 against Uganda on 24 September and 2–2 against Botswana four days later. Hazem Mastouri scored twice in the second game, but Botswana equalised after Tunisia had taken the lead. Three goals scored and three conceded leave the campaign open rather than settled.
Group H carries an unusual pressure. Uganda already have a finals place as co-hosts. Tunisia must finish above both Botswana and Libya to claim the group's other berth; a conventional top-two target can be misleading here. Libya are the next confirmed opponents in November.
Chaabani's first qualifying squad brought back experienced midfielders Ferjani Sassi and Aissa Laidouni, alongside Ali Maaloul. The selection also opens space for younger players. A call-up establishes a place in that squad, not a guaranteed start in November.
Tunisia 1–1 Uganda
One point against the co-hosts to open the qualifying campaign.
Tunisia 2–2 Botswana
Mastouri scored twice, but a second draw delayed the first win.
Libya are the next test
CAF confirms the pairing; the precise match date and kickoff await confirmation.
CAF reports establish the results, September squad, Group H rules and next pairing. Future selection and exact kickoff details need a new announcement. Tactical judgments are TrophyDrought editorial analysis, not statements from the coaching staff.
The current cycle in three moves
Facts first · interpretation secondTunisia's 2026 checkpoint
Two draws from the opening two qualifiers; four matches remain.
Three scored and three conceded in the two September games.
One qualification place is available to the three non-host teams in Group H.
The checkpoints record the opening qualifying campaign: points, goals and available places. The chart uses scorelines, with the same scale for goals scored and conceded.
A first win would change the campaign quickly, but the November window is also a test of whether new combinations hold together. Tunisia need enough players around the ball to create a chance without leaving the first counter undefended. The table and chart below record actual match totals.
The two opening qualifiers
Goals scored and conceded on the same 0–3 scale. These are match totals, not ratings.
Total: 3 scored, 3 conceded; two draws.
The Group H race
| Team | P | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda · host | 2 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 4 |
| Botswana | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Tunisia | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Libya | 2 | 2 | 3 | −1 | 1 |
Uganda qualify automatically. Only the highest-ranked other team joins them at the finals.
Results and group context: CAF group review. Format: CAF qualifying rules.
Tunisia's results and next fixtures
AFCON 2027 · Group HThe two September scores are final. CAF lists Tunisia v Libya next, in the 9–17 November 2026 international window. A window is a range of dates, not a confirmed kickoff; the exact day, venue and time are not filled in without a source.
Fixture dates: CAF's Group H results and next pairing. CAF announces the November and March windows separately. Confirm detailed fixture information before making travel plans.
Three questions that define the autumn
Editorial watchlistCan Tunisia hold the next lead?
The Botswana draw shows why the next defensive action matters after scoring. A midfielder staying connected to the centre-backs can prevent a promising attack from becoming an open exchange.
Who connects midfield to Mastouri?
A striker benefits from a nearby receiver as much as a second runner. Gharbi or a returning midfielder can offer the lay-off while a winger attacks the space beyond; these are possible relationships, not confirmed instructions.
Does the rebuild have a clear hierarchy?
Experienced recalls and new call-ups create options. The November selection will show which combinations the staff want to develop. A World Cup reputation alone does not establish a place in this team.
How Tunisia could connect
Interactive tactical explainerGive the striker a second action
Talbi can find Gharbi underneath the striker. Mastouri pins the nearest defender while Achouri offers another route if the central lane closes.
This diagram explains relationships, not a confirmed formation. Player availability, squad selection and roles can change before the match window.
Players who shape the next step
Roles, not a predicted XIHazem Mastouri
Scored both Tunisia goals against Botswana. The next question is how quickly supporting players can reach him after the first pass.
Montassar Talbi
Named in the opening qualifying squad. His position behind possession makes him a useful reference for the balance between progression and cover.
Aissa Laidouni
Recalled for the opening qualifiers. A player available underneath an attack can keep the ball moving without forcing the final pass.
Ferjani Sassi
Returned in Chaabani's squad. Experience gives the midfield another option; it does not decide the next starting XI.
Elias Achouri
Included among the forwards. Holding width can create a passing lane inside before a diagonal run attacks the box.
Ismael Gharbi
Named in midfield. Receiving beyond the first press is useful only when the next pass or supporting run is already available.
The squad behind the reset
Opening qualifying selectionThis is the squad published for the opening qualifiers. The November group has not yet been named. Selection and fitness can change before the next game.
Goalkeepers
Aymen Dahmen · Mouhib Chamakh · Sabri Ben Hassen
Defenders
Yan Valery · Mouataz Neffati · Montassar Talbi · Alaa Ghram · Mohamed Nasraoui · Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida · Ali Maaloul · Amine Cherni
Midfielders
Aissa Laidouni · Ferjani Sassi · Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane · Hamza Rafia · Anis Ben Slimane · Sami Chouchane · Ismael Gharbi
Forwards
Khalil Ayari · Sayfallah Ltaief · Elias Achouri · Sebastian Tounekti · Rayan Elloumi · Sadok Kedida · Hazem Mastouri
Selection and absences: CAF squad report.
Tunisia Now FAQs
Quick answersWhen is Tunisia's next match?
Tunisia's next confirmed pairing is against Libya in AFCON 2027 qualifying, during the 9–17 November 2026 window. The exact date, venue and kickoff time are not yet confirmed on this page.
What was Tunisia's latest result?
Tunisia drew 2–2 with Botswana on 28 September 2026. Hazem Mastouri scored both Tunisia goals. Tunisia have two points from their first two AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Who is Tunisia's current coach?
Mouine Chaabani leads Tunisia's post-World Cup team and named the squad for the opening AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Is Hannibal Mejbri in Tunisia's current squad?
Hannibal missed the opening September qualifiers because of injury, according to CAF's squad report. His availability for November requires a fresh squad announcement.
Is Ellyes Skhiri still playing for Tunisia?
CAF's September squad report states that Ellyes Skhiri has retired from international football. He is not presented as part of the current qualifying squad.
How can Tunisia qualify for AFCON 2027?
Tunisia must finish as the highest-ranked Group H side outside Uganda, who already qualify as co-hosts. Tunisia, Botswana and Libya compete for that other place.
Did Tunisia reach the 2026 World Cup knockout stage?
No. Tunisia's seventh World Cup appearance ended in the group stage after three defeats. A first World Cup knockout appearance remains an objective.
How many Africa Cup of Nations titles have Tunisia won?
Tunisia have won one AFCON title, in 2004, beating Morocco 2–1 in the final on home soil.
Where can I read Tunisia's full trophy history?
The Tunisia country profile tracks the wait since AFCON 2004, and the linked trophy story covers that title and the team's World Cup history.
Sources, verification and next reads
Primary-source reportingPrimary sources
- CAF · Chaabani's squad, recalls and absences
- CAF · Tunisia 2–2 Botswana match report
- CAF · Group H points and next pairing
- CAF · Qualifying rules and international windows
- CAF · Tunisia's 2004 AFCON title
- FIFA · Tunisia's 2026 World Cup match against Japan
Fixtures, competition records and appointments are checked against governing-body or federation pages. The page is an editorial update, not an automatic news feed.