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Tunisia Profile – 2026 CAF TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

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Tunisia U-17 Profile

Key Facts

  • Team: Tunisia
  • Appearance: 5th
  • Last Appearance: 2025
  • Best Performance: Third Place (2013)

Tunisia return to the TotalEnergies CAF U-17 Africa Cup of Nations 2026 looking to re-establish themselves as one of North Africa’s consistent forces at youth level.

The Carthage Eaglets benefit from Morocco’s automatic qualification as hosts, which opened the door for Tunisia to secure their place among the continent’s best young sides despite a competitive UNAF qualifying campaign.

How They Qualified

Tunisia’s route to Morocco 2026 came through the North African Football Union (UNAF) qualifiers, where they competed strongly against regional heavyweights.

Although they did not finish in the automatic qualification spots, Morocco’s status as hosts meant an additional place became available, allowing Tunisia to progress to the continental finals.

Their campaign included a hard-fought draw against Algeria and competitive performances throughout, highlighting their ability to match top opposition in the region.

History in the Competition

Tunisia have a respectable history in the U-17 AFCON, with their best performance coming in 2013 when they finished third.

While they have not consistently reached the latter stages in recent editions, their regular appearances underline a solid youth development system.

Their return in 2026 presents another opportunity to compete for continental relevance and build on their past achievements.

Key Players to Watch

  • Moncef Thabti (Forward) – A sharp attacker with a natural instinct for goal, Thabti is expected to lead Tunisia’s offensive charge.
  • Othman Ben Houssein (Midfielder) – A composed and intelligent midfielder who controls possession and links play effectively.
  • Yahya Jneidi (Defender) – A disciplined defender who anchors the backline with strong positioning and reading of the game.

Coach & Tactical Approach

Tunisia are coached by Nadjeh Toumi, who has focused on building a balanced and tactically organised side capable of competing with the continent’s best.

His approach is centred on:

  • Defensive discipline, ensuring structure and compactness
  • Controlled possession, allowing Tunisia to manage the tempo of matches
  • Quick attacking transitions, particularly through wide areas

Toumi’s philosophy reflects Tunisia’s traditional strengths—organisation, resilience and tactical awareness.

Tournament Expectations

Tunisia will target progression beyond the group stage and aim to secure qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 by finishing among the top ten teams.

While they may not be among the leading favourites, their tactical discipline and competitive spirit make them a difficult opponent for any side.

If they can find consistency in front of goal, Tunisia have the potential to go deep into the tournament and possibly emerge as one of its surprise packages.