【Know Your Enemy #2】Tunisia National Team Name Guide | 'Ben' Means 'Son of ~', Hannibal References Ancient Carthage's Hero, Khedira's Brother Also Called Up
A guide to understanding the 26 members of the Tunisia national team — Japan's opponent in the World Cup Group Stage Matchday 2 on June 21 — through their names. In Arabic, 'Ben' means 'son of ~', Hannibal derives from the legendary general of ancient Carthage, and Rani Khedira, younger brother of former Germany international Sami Khedira, has also been called up. This is the second installment of the Group F trivia series you can share tomorrow.
Japan face Tunisia in their Group Stage Match Day 2 on June 21 at 13:00 JST. The second installment of our "Know Your Enemy" series decodes the names of Tunisia — a North African football powerhouse. The same name as the ancient Carthaginian hero "Hannibal," what "Ben" in "Ben Slimane" actually means, and the fact that former Germany international Sami Khedira's "younger brother" is on this squad — we've packed in plenty of Group F trivia you can share tomorrow.
info Tunisia | GROUP F Match Day 2 Opponent
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Match Date & Time | Sunday, June 21, 2026 — 13:00 JST |
| Venue | Estadio BBVA (Monterrey / Mexico) |
| FIFA Ranking | 44th (Japan: 18th, as of April 2026) |
| Nickname | Les Aigles de Carthage (Eagles of Carthage) |
| Population | Approx. 12 million |
| Official Languages | Arabic, French |
sports_soccer Arabic Names Are Made Up of "Three Parts"
The key to decoding Tunisian players' names lies in the traditional Arabic naming convention. The basic structure is as follows:
| Part | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Ism (personal name) | The individual's first name | Hannibal, Mohamed, Ali |
| Nasab (lineage name) | Lineage expressed as "son of" | Ben / bin / ibn |
| Nisba (attribution name) | Tribal name, place of origin, or occupation | al-Tunisi (from Tunisia) |
info "Ben" means the same thing as "bin" or "ibn." In Saudi Arabia and Egypt, "bin" and "ibn" are used, but in the Maghreb (North Africa) — including Tunisia and Morocco — the colloquial pronunciation "Ben" is the norm. In other words, "Ben Slimane" means "son of Slimane."
local_fire_department Decoding Key Players' Names
star Hannibal Mejbri — The Playmaker Who Bears the Name of an Ancient Carthaginian Hero
A 23-year-old attacking midfielder at Burnley (England) and a central figure in the Tunisian squad. The name Hannibal derives from Hannibal Barca, the legendary Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps with elephants from his base in Carthage (present-day Tunisia) around 200 BC. For Tunisians, "Hannibal" is a name that carries immense pride.
star Rani Khedira — The "Younger Brother" of Former Germany International Sami
A 31-year-old defensive midfielder at Union Berlin (Germany). His older brother is Sami Khedira, a former Germany international and member of the 2014 World Cup-winning squad. The two brothers ran alongside the same generation, yet the elder chose Germany while the younger chose their father's homeland, Tunisia. The surname "Khedira" means "green" in Arabic.
star Ellyes Skhiri — Doan Ritsu's Club Teammate
A 30-year-old midfielder at Eintracht Frankfurt (Germany) — which makes him Japan international Doan Ritsu's club teammate. The linchpin of Tunisia's midfield, he excels both physically and technically.
star Anis Ben Slimane — "Son of Slimane"
A 24-year-old midfielder at Norwich City (English Championship). "Ben Slimane" means "son of Slimane." Slimane is the Arabic name for the famous legendary wise man and prophet — Solomon (King Solomon).
star Yan Valery — A "Dual-Heritage" Player Born in France
A 27-year-old right back at Young Boys (Switzerland). Born in France and a player who made his professional debut at Southampton in England, he is a dual-heritage player. Tunisia was a French protectorate from 1881 to 1956, and to this day the flow of people between Tunisia and France remains strong. Among the 26-man squad, multiple players were born in France, Belgium, or Switzerland.
favorite The Story Behind "Les Aigles de Carthage" — Ancient Carthage and the Culture of Birds
Tunisia's nickname is "Les Aigles de Carthage" (Eagles of Carthage). Carthage was an ancient city on the outskirts of the capital Tunis, famous for fighting three Punic Wars against ancient Rome. The eagle, which was a symbol of Carthage, has been incorporated into the team's nickname and emblem. The name "Eagles of Carthage" is laden with the pride of Phoenician trade and ancient African civilization.
local_fire_department The Mystery of Why So Many Tunisian Players Are at European Clubs
Nearly 18 of the 26 players are based at European clubs — spread across France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and beyond. There are three reasons behind this:
- As a former French colony, a large Tunisian diaspora lives across Europe, particularly in France
- The development of Tunisia's domestic league (Ligue Professionnelle 1) and a national team scouting system that works effectively at the top European level
- The brand power of "Carthage" and the players' sense of pride in carrying a name like "Hannibal" — a launchpad for their ambitions
info Tomorrow's Talking Points
- "Hannibal Mejbri's first name 'Hannibal' — yeah, that's the ancient Carthaginian general who crossed the Alps on elephants"
- "'Ben' means 'son of.' 'Ben Slimane' means 'son of Slimane' — it's almost like a codename"
- "Rani Khedira is Sami Khedira's younger brother. The elder brother won the World Cup with Germany; the younger chose their father's homeland, Tunisia"
- "Skhiri is Doan Ritsu's teammate at Frankfurt. Even at the international level, they already know each other from the club"
info Related Links
- article Japan National Team WC 2026 — Full 26-Man Squad
- article Know Your Enemy #1 — The Netherlands: Staple Foods and Cost of Living
- article Which Prefecture Is Your Player From? — Map of Japan
- article Group F — Full Opponent Details