Arab Cup 2025: Several clubs refuse to release their Tunisian players!

Africa 10 November 2025 at 06:51

Mohamed Rek

News Editor

The numerous absences recorded have disrupted the plans of national coach Sami Trabelsi as the Tunisian national team prepares for the 2025 Arab Cup, set to take place in Qatar, and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Morocco in the coming weeks.

An extended squad of 35 players

The Tunisian coach has announced a preliminary list of 35 players, including four who play abroad:

Moataz Naffati (IFK Norrköping – Sweden), Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley FC – England), Omar Laayouni (BK Häcken – Sweden), and Hamza Mestouri (FK Anji Makhachkala – Russia).

During his appearance on the show Dimanche Sportif, 57-year-old Sami Trabelsi presented this list, clarifying that it concerns a series of three friendlies scheduled between November 12 and 18, against Mauritania, Jordan, and Brazil respectively.

Several foreign clubs refuse to release Tunisian internationals

During a statement given to national television, the coach revealed that several foreign clubs have refused to release certain Tunisian players called up for this training camp.

He specifically mentioned FC Lugano (Switzerland), which held onto Mohamed Haj Mahmoud, as well as Akhmat Grozny (Russia), which refused to release Nader Ghandri.

Sami Trabelsi also stated that Alaa Ghram, defender for Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), was among the considered players, but his coach, Arda Turan, objected to his departure.

The list of called-up players

• Goalkeepers:

Aymen Dahmen, Noureddine Farhati, Sabri Ben Hsan

• Defenders:

Yann Valery, Mohamed Ben Ali, Dylan Bronn, Montassar Talbi, Mahmoud Ghorbal, Mortadha Ben Ouannes, Yassine Meriadh, Hamza Jelassi, Marouene Sahraoui, Oussama Haddadi, Ali Abdi, Mohamed Amine Ben Hmida, Ali Maâloul.

• Midfielders:

Ferjani Sassi, Elyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri, Ismail Gharbi, Mohamed Haj Mahmoud, Firas Belarbi, Chiheb Jebali, Houssem Tka, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane.

• Forwards:

Amor Layouni, Sebastien Tounekti, Naïm Sliti, Nassim Dandani, Elyes Saad, Elyes Achouri, Hazem Mastouri, Firas Chaouat, Issam Jebali, Seifeddine Jaziri.

Friendlies: Tunisia's squad list to face Brazil

Related teams and leagues

Tunisia