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Tunisia women's national football team

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Tunisia
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)نسور قرطاج
(Eagles of Carthage)
AssociationTunisian Football Federation
Other affiliationUAFA (Arab World)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationUNAF (North Africa)
Head coachKamel Saada
CaptainChaima Abbassi
Top scorerMariem Houij (21)
Home stadiumHammadi Agrebi Stadium
FIFA codeTUN
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 89 Decrease 11 (6 March 2025)[1]
Highest67 (March 2017)
Lowest92 (June 2007)
First international
 Egypt 2–1 Tunisia 
(Alexandria, Egypt, 20 April 2006)
Biggest win
 Tunisia 12–1 Sudan 
(Cairo, Egypt, 27 August 2021)
Biggest defeat
 Tunisia 0–5 Tanzania 
(Tunis, Tunisia, 11 July 2024)
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances2 (first in 2008)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2022)
Arab Women's Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2006)
Best resultRunners-up (2021)
UNAF Women's Tournament
Appearances2 (first in 2009)
Best resultChampions (2009)

The Tunisia women's national football team has represented Tunisia in women's international association football. The team is administered by the Tunisian Football Federation (TFF), which governs football in Tunisia. On a continental level, the team competes under the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which governs associate football in Africa, and is also affiliated with FIFA for global competitions. Additionally, the team is a member of the Union of North African Football (UNAF) and the Union of Arab Football Associations (UAFA). 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 white and their away kit is red, which is a reference to the national flag of the country. Kamel Saada is the current head coach.

Tunisia has never qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup or Summer Olympics and its participation in Women's Africa Cup of Nations is sporadic, having only qualified for three editions. Tunisia qualified for the 2008 African Women's Championship, its first participation in a major tournament. However, the team was eliminated from the group stage after two defeats and a draw. The team returned to the competition after a 14-year absence, this time in the 2022 edition in Morocco. The team's performance did not rise to a high level, as it advanced to the quarter-finals in third place in its group after a win and two defeats, and was then eliminated by South Africa, the champion of that edition. Tunisia qualified for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations and is scheduled to play in July 2025 in Morocco. Tunisia has also participated in two editions of the Arab Women's Cup. The team finished third in 2006 and reached the final of the 2021 edition, but lost to Jordan to finish second.

History

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Women's football in Tunisia is now multiplying efforts to assert its national and international reputation. Nevertheless, the road may be long.[2] The beginning of women's football in Tunisia during the 2000s, women's football remained non-existent in Tunisia. This discipline practiced in women has indeed suffered from a total neglect of the major players in the sector. This neglect is the result of a culture rooted in male football. Moreover, women have fallen behind in the field. The Tunisian Women's Championship and Tunisian Women's Cup started in the 2004–05 season. It is a national football competition organized every year. This competition opposes the best women's football clubs in Tunisia. Tunisian women's football on the international level despite the national competitions, Tunisia remains absent from international confrontations. FIFA has also qualified Tunisia as inactive since 2016.

Yet, the Tunisian federation has committed to the establishment of a large women's national team. This initiative aims to create a female model of Tunisian football at the international level and to change the finding of FIFA. This organization, advised by Tarek Bouchamaoui, will be able to see the skills of women's football. Moreover, Bouchamaoui, a member of the FIFA Council, wishes an improvement of all the teams in Africa, including the women's teams.

The Tunisian team qualified for second time to 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations after a victory against Equatorial Guinea. In their first match against Togo, Tunisia recorded their first win ever in the WAFCON 4–1. Even with two defeats against Zambia 1–0 and Cameroon 2–0, the team was still able to qualify to the quarter-finals for the first time ever as one of the third ranked teams. Against South Africa, Tunisia lost 1–0. The Tunisians still had another chance with a Repechage match against Senegal to enter the inter-confederation play-offs, yet another lacklustre performance saw Tunisia's dream crashed out, losing 2–4 on penalties.

Coaching staff

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Current coaching staff

[edit]
As of 6 July 2024
Role Name
Head coach Tunisia Kamel Saada

Coaching history

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  • Tunisia Samir Landolsi (2006–2008)
  • Tunisia Mohamed Ali Hami (2008–2012)
  • Tunisia Samir Landolsi (2012–2014)
  • Tunisia Mourad Bacha (2014–2016)
  • Tunisia Samir Landolsi (2016–2018)
  • Tunisia Samir Landolsi (2021–2024)
  • Tunisia Kamel Saada (2024–present)

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

Legend

  Win   Draw   Lose   Fixture

2024

[edit]
23 February 2024 (2024-02-23) 2024 Olympic qualifying Tunisia  1–2  Morocco Soliman, Tunisia
14:30 UTC+1
  • Kaabachi 51'
Report
Stadium: Soliman Municipal Stadium
28 February 2024 (2024-02-28) 2024 Olympic qualifying Morocco  4–1  Tunisia Rabat, Morocco
19:00 UTC+1
Report
Stadium: Moulay Hassan Stadium
4 April 2024 (2024-04-04) Friendly Tunisia  2–1  Algeria Tunis, Tunisia
15:00 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Chedly Zouiten Stadium
7 April 2024 (2024-04-07) Friendly Tunisia  2–2  Algeria Tunis, Tunisia
15:00 UTC+1 Report (FAF)
Stadium: Chedly Zouiten Stadium
11 July 2024 Tunis Women's Cup Tanzania  5–0  Tunisia Ariana, Tunisia
15:00 UTC+1
Stadium: Ariana Municipal Stadium
15 July 2024 Tunis Women's Cup Tunisia  1–0  Botswana Tunis, Tunisia
15:00 UTC+1 Shaiek 75' Stadium: Chedly Zouiten Stadium

2025

[edit]
21 February 2025 (2025-02-21) 2026 WAFCON qualifying Kenya  0–0  Tunisia Nairobi, Kenya
15:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Ulinzi Sports Complex
26 February 2025 (2025-02-26) 2026 WAFCON qualifying Tunisia  0–1  Kenya Sousse, Tunisia
14:00 UTC+1 Report Engesha 4' Stadium: Sousse Olympic Stadium
Referee: Vincentia Amedome (Togo)
4 April 2025 (2025-04-04) Friendly Morocco  3–1  Tunisia Casablanca, Morocco
18:00 UTC+0 Report
Stadium: Père Jégo Stadium
Referee: Natacha Konan Akissi (Ivory Coast)
8 April 2025 (2025-04-08) Friendly Morocco B  2–4  Tunisia Salé, Morocco
12:00 UTC+0 Report Stadium: Complexe Mohammed VI de football [fr]
5–26 July 2025 (2025-07) 2024 WAFCON GS Tunisia  v  Algeria
--:-- 
5–26 July 2025 (2025-07) 2024 WAFCON GS Tunisia  v  Nigeria
--:-- 
5–26 July 2025 (2025-07) 2024 WAFCON GS Tunisia  v  Botswana
--:-- 

Players

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Current squad

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  • The following Squad were named for the Friendly matches against Morocco in 4 April 2025.[3]
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Club
1 1GK Dorsaf Mkades France Olympique de Marseille
16 1GK Soulaima Jabrani (1997-02-25) 25 February 1997 (age 28) Tunisia ASF Sousse
1 1GK Zahra Jelassi Morocco CJ Ben Guerir

4 2DF Chaima Al Abbassi (1993-06-04) 4 June 1993 (age 31) Saudi Arabia Neom SC
18 2DF Samia Ouni (1992-05-30) 30 May 1992 (age 32) Saudi Arabia Eastern Flames FC
2DF Amani Ayed (2006-12-28) 28 December 2006 (age 18) Sweden AIK Fotboll
2DF Sabah Shaiek (2003-06-01) 1 June 2003 (age 21) France AS Cannes
14 2DF Ghada Ayadi (1992-08-10) 10 August 1992 (age 32) Free agent

3MF Ahlem Ammar Germany VfL Wolfsburg
3MF Soumaya Laamiri Tunisia AS Banque de l'Habitat
6 3MF Rania Aouina (1994-05-05) 5 May 1994 (age 30) Saudi Arabia Al-Hmmah Club
23 3MF Yesmin Khanchouch (2006-02-18) 18 February 2006 (age 19) Netherlands SC Telstar VVNH
3MF Yasmine Klai Italy Villaricca Calcio
19 3MF Chirine Lamti (1994-09-13) 13 September 1994 (age 30) Italy Cesena FC
7 3MF Ella Kaabachi (1992-05-15) 15 May 1992 (age 32) France RC Saint-Denis
8 3MF Sana Guermazi (2001-11-03) 3 November 2001 (age 23) France Le Mans FC
5 3MF Norhène Bettoumi (2005-10-02) 2 October 2005 (age 19) France US Saint-Malo
5 3MF Naïs Nadoux (2004-07-08) 8 July 2004 (age 20) France Le Puy Foot
17 3MF Hana Hamdi (1995-11-26) 26 November 1995 (age 29) Germany FC Schalke 04

10 4FW Mariem Houij (1994-08-08) 8 August 1994 (age 30) Saudi Arabia Abha Club
9 4FW Sabrine Ellouzi (1998-06-28) 28 June 1998 (age 26) Netherlands Excelsior Rotterdam
15 4FW Myriam Bayahia (2002-10-26) 26 October 2002 (age 22) France AJ Auxerre
20 4FW Salma Zemzem (2000-04-07) 7 April 2000 (age 25) France Thonon Évian GG FC

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up to the Tunisia squad within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
DF Talia Polini (2005-12-26) 26 December 2005 (age 19) France Paris FC v.  Algeria ,7 April 2024
DF Sanah Ben Mouhamed (2003-08-02) 2 August 2003 (age 21) France Sud Lyonnais 2013
DF Zaineb Dahmeni (1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 (age 26) France Cannes v.  Botswana ,15 July 2024
DF Sarah Miladi (2005-11-25) 25 November 2005 (age 19) - - France GPSO 92 Issy v.  Kenya ,26 February 2025
DF Rihem Bouguerra - - Tunisia ASF Sousse v.  Kenya ,26 February 2025

MF Eya Bellaaj (1998-02-26) 26 February 1998 (age 27) Saudi Arabia Jeddah v.  Botswana ,15 July 2024
MF Ibtissem Ben Mohamed (1997-07-01) 1 July 1997 (age 27) Saudi Arabia Al Wehda v.  Botswana ,15 July 2024
MF Chaima Ben Mohamed (1997-09-11) 11 September 1997 (age 27) Saudi Arabia Al Wehda v.  Botswana ,15 July 2024
MF Yasmine Jemai (1999-06-12) 12 June 1999 (age 25) Saudi Arabia Neom v.  Botswana ,15 July 2024
MF Aya Jeddi (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 25) Saudi Arabia Al-Shoulla v.  Botswana ,15 July 2024

MF Ines Zaghdoudi (2005-07-30) 30 July 2005 (age 19) - - Germany Eimsbütteler TV II v.  Kenya ,26 February 2025
MF Yosra Ben Hadj Mahmoud (2001-03-09) 9 March 2001 (age 24) - - France Grenoble Foot 38 v.  Kenya ,26 February 2025

FW Hanna Hamdi (1995-11-26) 26 November 1995 (age 29) Germany FSV Gütersloh 2009 v.  Botswana ,15 July 2024

INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
PRE Preliminary squad.
SUS Player is serving a suspension.
WD Player withdrew for personal reasons.

Previous squads

[edit]
Africa Women Cup of Nations
UNAF Women's Tournament
Arab Women's Cup

Records

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*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 14 July 2022.

Competitive records

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  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place

  • Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

FIFA Women's World Cup

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FIFA Women's World Cup record FIFA Women's World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
China 1991 Did not enter Did not enter
Sweden 1995
United States 1999
United States 2003
China 2007
Germany 2011 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
Canada 2015 4 1 1 2 8 7
France 2019 Did not enter Did not enter
AustraliaNew Zealand 2023 Did not qualify 9 4 1 4 18 10
Brazil 2027 2 0 1 1 0 1
MexicoUnited States 2031 To be determined To be determined
United Kingdom 2035
Total 0/11 17 5 4 8 27 20

Summer Olympics

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Summer Olympics record Summer Olympics qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
United States 1996 Did not enter Did not enter
Australia 2000
Greece 2004
China 2008
United Kingdom 2012 Did not qualify 4 1 0 3 4 2
Brazil 2016 2 0 0 2 0 6
Japan 2021 Did not enter Did not enter
France 2024 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 6
United States 2028 To be determined To be determined
Total 0/10 8 1 0 9 8 20

Women's Africa Cup of Nations

[edit]
Women's Africa Cup of Nations record Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
1991 Did not enter Did not enter
1995
Nigeria 1998
South Africa 2000
Nigeria 2002
South Africa 2004
Nigeria 2006
Equatorial Guinea 2008 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 3 5 4 3 1 0 8 1
South Africa 2010 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 1 2
Equatorial Guinea 2012 2 0 0 2 2 2
Namibia 2014 4 2 0 2 8 7
Cameroon 2016 4 1 1 2 3 6
Ghana 2018 Did not enter Did not enter
2020 Did not enter; tournament was later cancelled Did not enter; tournament was later cancelled
Morocco 2022 Quarter-finals 7th 4 1 0 3 4 5 4 3 0 1 14 5
Morocco 2024 Qualified 4 3 1 0 18 4
Morocco 2026 Did not qualify 2 0 1 1 0 1
Total 2/14 7 1 1 5 7 10 26 12 5 9 54 28

Arab Women's Cup

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Arab Women's Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Egypt 2006 Third place 3rd 5 3 0 2 17 6
Egypt 2021 Runner-up 2nd 5 1 3 1 16 6
Total Runner-up 2/2 10 4 3 3 33 12

UNAF Women's Tournament

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UNAF Women's Tournament record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Tunisia 2009 Champions 1st 2 2 0 0 7 2
Tunisia 2020 Third place 3rd 4 1 2 1 5 3
Egypt 2021 Did not enter; tournament was later cancelled
Total 1 Title 2/3 6 3 2 1 12 5

Honours

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  2. ^ "تحقيقات الملاعب: كرة القدم النسائية في تونس". turess.com. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  3. ^ "[EN Féminines 🇹🇳] Deux nouvelles découvertes sélectionnées !". les-talents-tunisiens.blogspot.com (in French). Retrieved 6 April 2025.