FIFA President Gianni Infantino held a meeting with newly elected Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) President Moez El Nasri on the sidelines of the 14th CAF Extraordinary Congress in Cairo, Egypt, declaring that Tunisian football is "building the platform to ensure sustained success."

FIFA programmes powering Tunisia's development

The FTF has been part of the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS) since 2023, drawing on dedicated funding to bolster its girls' academies, national teams, and elite talent programmes. An additional USD 250,000 was allocated in 2024 to sharpen player performance monitoring and to strengthen the administration of TDS projects.

FIFA Forward, active since 2016, has also made a substantial contribution — covering a significant portion of the FTF's operational costs and helping finance national team accommodation at the federation's elite performance facility, as well as a dedicated sports medicine centre.

Tunisia's teams in strong form

Tunisia's men's national team currently top their FIFA World Cup 26 qualifying group, placing the Eagles of Carthage in pole position to reach a third consecutive global showpiece — and a seventh appearance overall — in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Meanwhile, Espérance Sportive de Tunis are set to represent the country at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in the United States later this year.

Both the senior men's and women's teams are scheduled to compete in their respective CAF Africa Cup of Nations tournaments over the next 12 months. The men's U-17 side and the women's U-20 side remain in contention for spots at their respective FIFA age-group tournaments.

New leadership, new ambitions

Infantino was accompanied at the Cairo meeting by FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström and Gelson Fernandes, FIFA Deputy Chief Member Associations Officer and Regional Director Africa. FTF Vice President Hussein Jenayah also attended.

President El Nasri outlined a wide-ranging development agenda following the talks: "Our programme focuses on rejuvenation at the administrative level, modernising the administration of the federation, nurturing youth, and reviving women's football, beach soccer, and indoor football," he said. "This is the entire development programme including especially the youth academies, and you will see projects that lead to achievements within the next year."

El Nasri added that Infantino "expressed his joy, happiness, and confidence in the new executive office, as it includes young, capable individuals ready to achieve success for Tunisian football and move past the period of stagnation that Tunisian football has been experiencing."

Infantino echoed the optimism, confirming FIFA's full backing: "Tunisia has always had a strong talent pool and with the help of FIFA Forward and the FIFA Talent Development Scheme, the Tunisian Football Federation is building the platform to ensure sustained success."