Tunisia Captain Sassi Dropped from World Cup Squad by Coach Lamouchi
Tunisia has excluded long-serving captain Ferjani Sassi and key defender Yassine Meriah from its final squad for the upcoming World Cup. The decision was announced by new head coach Sabri Lamouchi, who took charge in January following the team's exit from the Cup of Nations. Lamouchi has opted to overhaul the squad, introducing younger talents such as 21-year-old Khalil Ayari, recently signed by Paris St Germain, and 18-year-old Canadian-born Rayan Elloumi of the Vancouver Whitecaps. The squad also features Rani Khedira, who recently switched his international allegiance from Germany to Tunisia. This marks Tunisia's seventh appearance at the World Cup, where they are drawn in Group F alongside Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands. The announcement signifies a strategic shift towards rebuilding the team with a mix of experienced players like Ellyes Skhiri and emerging prospects, moving away from the previous generation led by Sassi, who earned 101 caps for his country.
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