Man United teenager Hannibal Mejbri in Tunisia's World Cup squad

Manchester United teenager Hannibal Mejbri is included in Tunisia’s squad for the World Cup as head coach Jalel Kadri names FOUR goalkeepers ahead of the tournament

  • Manchester United’s Hannibal Mejbri will go to the Qatar World Cup with Tunisia
  • The 19-year-old midfielder has three appearances for the Red Devils so far
  • He has spent this year on loan at Birmingham City, where he has played 15 times
  • Head coach Jalel Kadri has controversially named four goalkeepers in the squad 

Manchester United youngster Hannibal Mejbri has been included in Tunisia’s squad for the Qatar World Cup.

The 19-year-old is part of a generally experienced 26-man squad named by head coach Jalel Kadri on Monday, which includes veterans Wahbi Khazri and Youssef Msakni, who will share captaincy duties.

Mejbri has made 18 appearances for the country since making his debut in 2021 after swapping allegiances from France, who he played for at youth level. He qualifies to play for Tunisia through his parents.

Manchester United’s Hannibal Mejbri has been included in Tunisia’s squad for the World Cup

The 19-year-old has made 18 appearances for his country since making his debut in 2021

He has made three senior appearances for United, and joined Birmingham on loan this season, where he has featured 15 times without scoring. 

10 of the squad that faced England in the 2018 World Cup feature, and the side includes four goalkeepers.

Former captain and goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi, 38, is included after a three-year absence from the squad. 

Via BBC Sport, Kadri wrote on social media: ‘It was not an easy decision to make. The list can only have 26 players on it. There will always be mixed reactions.’

Mejbri has spent this season on loan at Birmingham City, where he has made 15 appearances

The head coach’s wife also posted, saying her husband was ‘devastated’ for those who had missed out.

Tunisia will play a warm-up friendly against Iran in Doha on Wednesday, before taking on Denmark, Australia and France in Group D as they look to advance past the first round for the first time in six World Cup finals appearances.

Their first game of the tournament will be against the Danes on November 22. 

TUNISIA WORLD CUP SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien), Bechir Ben Said (US Monastir), Mouez Hassen (Club Africain), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile Sahel)

Defenders: Ali Abdi (Caen), Dylan Bronn (Salernitana), Mohamed Drager (FC Luzern), Nader Ghandri (Club Africain), Bilel Ifa (Kuwait SC), Wajdi Kechrida (Atromitos), Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly), Yassine Meriah (Esperance), Montassar Talbi (Lorient)

Midfielders: Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane, Ghaylane Chaalali (both Esperance), Aissa Laidouni (Ferencvaros), Hannibal Mejbri (Birmingham City), Ferjani Sassi (Al Duhail), Elyas Skhiri (FC Cologne)

Forwards: Anis Ben Slimane (Brondby), Seifeddine Jaziri (Zamalek), Issam Jebali (Odense), Wahbi Khazri (Montpellier), Taha Yassine Khenissi (Kuwait SC), Youssef Msakni (Al Arabi), Naim Sliti (Al Ittifaq). (Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Christian Radnedge)




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