The Tunisia national minifootball team represents Tunisia in men's international Minifootball competitions and it is controlled by the Tunisian Minifootball Federation (FTMF), which governs minifootball in Tunisia. On the continental level, the team competes under the African Minifootball Confederation (AMC), which governs associate football in Africa, and is also affiliated with World Minifootball Federation (WMF) for global competitions. The team is colloquially known as Eagles of Carthage by fans and the media, with the bald eagle serving as its symbol. Their home kit is primarily red and their away kit is white, which is a reference to the national flag of Tunisia. The team has qualified for the WMF World Cup two times, qualified for the African Minifootball Cup one time, competed in one edition of WMF Continental Cup where he finished in second place and one participation in the Arab Minifootball Cup.
History The minifootball activity in Tunisia started in 2016 with the establishment of the Tunisian Minifootball Federation through businessman Achraf Ben Salha, the African Minifootball Confederation founder and World Minifootball Federation vice president. Tunisia played their first match against Spain on 2 May 2016 and it ended in a 3−3 draw. At the local championship level, the first edition tool place in 2016 was contested with 12 teams. Since then, total number of clubs affiliated to the federation has risen to more than 150, in four corners of Tunisia, with different levels. Latest upgrade was introduction of video assistant referee, establishment of training sessions for minifootball coaches, and organization of the first ladies minifootball championship 2019–20 season.
In the next year, Tunisia hosted the 2017 WMF World Cup, which was played from 6 to 15 October 2017 in Nabeul with the participation of 24 teams. The team was placed in Group F alongside Libya, Lebanon and Portugal. In the opening match against Portugal, Tunisia won 3−2, another big victory against Lebanon 6−1 and a draw against Libya 2−2 to finish the group stage at the top. In the round of 16, Tunisia beat strong Kazakhstan 4−3 on penalties after a 2−2 draw. In the quarter-finals, the team suffered a heavy defeat against Mexico 0−7 and leave the tournament. At the end of the tournament, Ouday Belhaj was chosen as the best player.
In the next year, the team participate at the African Minifootball Cup for the first time in the 2018 edition in Tripoli, Libya. The team was placed in Group B alongside Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa. Tunisia drew 1−1 with Senegal in the first match, winning against Nigeria 3−1 in the second match and a resounding victory in the third match against South Africa 18−0 to finish the group stage at the top. Tunisia were eliminated from the semi-finals against Ivory Coast on penalties 6−7 after a 2−2 draw. The team get the bronze medal after defeating the host Libya in the third-place match with a score of 1−0.
In March 2019, Tunisia hosted the first edition of the WMF Continental Cup with the participation of 8 teams at the Five Stars Stadium in Tunis. The team was placed in Group A alongside England, Guatemala and Switzerland. Tunisia produced a stunning performance after beating Switzerland 5−1, a big win over Guatemala 9−0 and another win over England 3−0 to top the group and qualify for the final where they lost to world champions Czech Republic 4−5 to get the silver medal.
Thanks to the African participation, the team qualified for the 2019 WMF World Cup in Perth, Australia. The team was placed in Group F alongside Costa Rica, Japan and Slovakia. Tunisia achieved a big win against Costa Rica 8−0 and two draws against Japan 0−0 and Slovakia 1−1. In the round of 16, Mexico defeated Tunisia again with the same result as two years ago, 0−7. Since the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020, Tunisia has not participated in any event, especially the 2023 WMF World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, the 2021 African Minifootball Cup in Nigeria and the 2024 African Minifootball Cup in South Africa. Tunisia is set to participate in the 2025 African Minifootball Cup in Derna, Libya.
Current staff Last update: 1 August 2024 PositionNameHead coach Riadh Ben HamdiaAssistant coach Ali BelmadhounaPhysiotherapist Arbi Belhadj
Managerial history
Mokhtar Tlili (2016–2018) Sofyen Brinis (2018–2020) Mahdi Abachi (2023–2024) Riadh Ben Hmida (2024–present)
Competitive records Champions Runners-up Third place Fourth place
Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.
WMF World Cup WMF World CupYearRoundPosition* 2015Did not enter 2017Quarter-finals5th53111314 2019Round of 1615th412198 2023Withdrew after qualifying 2025Did not enterTotal Quarter-finals 2/4 9 4 3 2 2222
WMF Continental Cup WMF Continental CupYearRoundPosition* 2019Runners-up2nd4301216Total Runners-up 1/1 4 3 0 1 216
African Minifootball Cup African Minifootball CupYearRoundPosition* 2018Third place3rd5320254 2021Withdrew after qualifying 2024Did not enter 2025QualifiedTotal Third place 1/4 5 3 2 0 254
Arab Minifootball Cup Arab Minifootball CupYearRoundPosition* 2024Third place3rd301213Total Third place 1/1 3 0 1 2 13
Statistics
Results in major competitions YearStageDateOpponentResultVenueWMF World Cup1 2017Group stage6 October 20173–2Nabeul Minifoot Stadium, Nabeul9 October 20176–111 October 20172–2Round of 1612 October 20172–2 Quarter-finals13 October 20170–72 2019Group stage2 October 20198–0Perth Minifoot Stadium, Perth4 October 20190–06 October 20191–1Round of 168 October 20190–7WMF Continental Cup1 2019Group stage14 March 20195–1Five Stars Stadium, Tunis15 March 20199–015 March 20193–0Final16 March 20194–5African Minifootball Cup1 2018Group stage6 May 20181–1Al-Madina Stadium, Tripoli8 May 20183–110 May 201818–0Semi-finals11 May 20182–2 Third place match12 May 20181–0Arab Minifootball Cup1 2024Third place match24 February 20240–1Egyptian Association Stadium, Cairo25 February 20240–127 February 20241–1
Honours and awards
Honours
WMF Continental Cup Runner-up: 2019 African Minifootball Cup Third-place: 2018 Arab Minifootball Cup Third-place: 2024
Awards
WMF World Cup Best player Ouday Belhaj (2017)
See also
Tunisian Minifootball Federation Tunisia national under-23 minifootball team
References
External links Facebook