The Tunisian Football Federation [FTF] has reportedly placed former Kaizer Chiefs head coach Nasreddine Nabi at the top of its shortlist to lead the Carthage Eagles into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The coaching search intensified this week following the dismissal of Sami Trabelsi, who was sacked just one day after Tunisia’s disappointing round-of-16 exit at the 2025 AFCON.
Tunisia won their opening 2025 AFCON encounter against Uganda, then lost 3-2 to Nigeria and drew 1-1 with Tanzania, finishing second in Group C. They went on to lose to 10-man Mali in the Round of 16 after a dreaded penalty shootout.
Nabi, 60, is currently unattached after a high-profile but brief stint with South African giants Kaizer Chiefs. Despite winning the Nedbank Cup to end the club’s decade-long trophy drought, Nabi parted ways with Amakhosi in October 2025. His availability has made him an attractive domestic option for an FTF board looking to ‘restore competitiveness’ before the World Cup kicks off in June.
While Nabi is considered a frontrunner, he faces stiff competition from a diverse pool of candidates. Fellow Tunisian Mouin Chaâbani, who is currently excelling at Moroccan club RS Berkane, was also a target. However, he is said to have indicated his desire to remain with his current team.
Moroccan coach Hussein Ammouta was also part of the shortlist alongside Franck Haise, the former OGC Nice manager. Interestingly, Arsenal and French icons Thierry Henry and Patrick Vieira have also been linked to the role.
DAUNTING TASK AHEAD FOR NEW TUNISIA COACH
There is a perception that the federation is hesitant to retain a coach for an extended period, and any coach currently in position is unlikely to leave. Nabi is presently on a sabbatical from football.
He is Tunisian and has been offered the job repeatedly but has turned it down. With the World Cup five months away, the federation may entice him to take a short-term deal.
Whoever takes the helm will face a daunting task. Tunisia has been drawn into Group F for the 2026 World Cup, where they will face the Netherlands, Japan and the UEFA Playoff Winner between Ukraine, Poland, Albania, or Sweden.
The Carthage Eagles are scheduled to open their campaign on June 14, 2026, against the UEFA playoff winner at the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, Mexico.
WHAT MEJBRI HANNIBAL SAID AFTER AFCON EXIT
Burnley FC star Hannibal Mejbri slammed the management after the Last 16 exit in Casablanca.
“We are behind in our football, and it needs to be said. We are lagging [behind] in so many areas. All the people responsible for Tunisian football need to sit down together and ask the real questions, because we are really behind,” he said after the game as quoted by RMC Sport.
“It pains me to say this because I don’t live in Tunisia, and it would be hypocritical of me, but I can’t stay silent; it’s sad. We absolutely need to work and start everything from scratch. Everything. There’s an incredible amount of talent in Tunisia, but we are behind.
“When you look at Algeria, Morocco, all the African countries progressing except us, in every aspect, I don’t even have the words. Where do we start? Our mentality, I think. Sorry, maybe this will go around Tunisia, but we dream too much, and maybe we don’t work hard enough.
“We don’t train ourselves, and there’s no shame in learning every day. Whether it’s in football or outside of it, we need to question ourselves, myself included, and I hope we can make it happen.”
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