SEEKING JOY FOR TUNISIA

Sliti is optimistic the North Africans will make a mark in the Arab World’s first WC

With Tunisia just days away from stepping out at Qatar 2022 and making their sixth FIFA World Cup appearance, Naim Sliti met up with FIFA+ for an exclusive interview.

The former Sedan midfielder, who was born in Marseille, talked about his career to date, his influences and his childhood footballing memories. Now with Saudi Arabian club Ettifaq FC, Sliti spoke of his pride in playing at the World Cup for a Tunisia side he described as experienced and of his desire to do the Arab world proud as it stages the tournament for the first time.

Have you always dreamed of playing at the World Cup?

Always. I started playing football just after the 1998 World Cup, after France won with two goals from Zinedine Zidane in the Final. That’s what pushed me to take up the game.

What does it mean for you to play for Tunisia?

I’m so proud to play for my country. I try to do my best every time I pull on the jersey. You play for a country, for your people, and you give your all.

What goes through your mind when you think about an Arab country hosting the World Cup for the first time?

I’m so happy and excited and I’m impressed too with the stadiums and the facilities they’ve managed to build. There are only four teams [from the Arab world] with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Tunisia. We’re going to try to do justice to the Arab nations and we’ll be playing in front of our amazing crowds too.

What’s your view of Denmark, Australia and France, your opponents in Group D?

We know it’s a difficult group, with two big teams in France and Denmark. We’ll need to watch out for Australia too because they’re a good side as well. It won’t be easy but anything can happen in football.

Do you see any differences with the group you had at Russia 2018 [England, Belgium and Panama]?

England were very much a big team and Belgium were the best side in the tournament. The group we’re in now is pretty similar because we’ve got two other big sides in Denmark and France. I still don’t think, though, that they’re as strong now as Belgium and England were back then.

Tunisia have never reached the second round at the World Cup. Will it finally happen at Qatar 2022?

It’s something we’re aware of. It would be a dream for us and we could really make a mark, so why not? We have to go out and do it and it’s not going to be easy at all, but we know we have the potential and that the ream is ready, God willing.

You went to Russia 2018 and all the expectations are that you will be in the squad again for Qatar 2022. What’s changed about Naim Sliti and the Tunisian national team in these last four years?

What’s changed is the

I’m so happy and excited and I’m impressed too with the stadiums and the facilities [Qatar has] managed to build. There are only four teams [from the Arab world] with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Tunisia. We’re going to try to do justice to the Arab nations and we’ll be playing in front of our amazing crowds too. — Naim Sliti

amount of experience we have. There’s a lot more of it in this team, especially the senior players. Some players have got four more years and a World Cup in their legs. I also feel we’re more solid at the back. We’ll try to build on that, to make the most of that, and I hope we’ll come away with something positive in the end.

What does a sixth World Cup appearance mean for Tunisia as a country?

The domestic league is still a big deal in Tunisia but the standard has dropped in the last few years unfortunately. There are concerns about facilities too. There’s a lot of potential and some very good teams, and I hope that the country’s sixth World Cup appearance will help it to recover, both in terms of sport and in general, and that we can bring a lot of joy to Tunisia. The country deserves it.