Nabil Maaloul TunisiaGettyimages

Tunisia to warm up against Iran and Costa Rica

Tunisia is set to play two friendly international games against Iran and Costa Rica as part of their preparation for the 2018 World Cup in Russia throughout the FIFA week calendar between March 24th and 30th.

The first match will see the Carthage Eagles host Iran in a tie which will be held on March 23 and then play Costa Rica in France four days later. 

Both teams set to play Tunisia are ranked behind them in the latest FIFA revelation, while Costa Rica are ranked 26th three steps behind the Carthage Eagles, Iran are ranked 33.

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Tunisia have met Iran just once in the past, in August 2002 where they played a 2-2 draw in a friendly game. 

Coach Nabil Maaloul will see these fixtures as key to getting his Carthage Eagles squad into good shape before their opening World Cup match against England on June 18.

Tunisia's match against England will be the second World Cup meeting between the two countries after they lost the first 2-0 to the Three Lions at France '98.

Tunisia will face Belgium in their second group game, with Panama completing Group G. Campaigners at three successive FIFA World Cups between 1998 and 2006, the 2004 African Champions missed the tournament in the Republic of South Africa in 2010 and Brazil 2014.

Tunisia, who are returning to the World Cup finals after a 12-year absence, topped a tricky qualifying group containing DR Congo, Guinea and Libya to seal their place in Russia.

Tunisia's 28-man squad:

Aymen Mathlouthi (Al Baten, Saudi Arabia), Moez Ben Cherifia (ESperance), Farouk Ben Mustapha (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Moez Hassen (Chateauroux, France), Karim Aouadhi (CS Sfaxien), Ghazi Ayadi (Club Africain), Anis Badri (ESperance), Rami Bedoui (Étoile), Yohan Benalouane (Leicester City, England), Syam Ben Youssef (Kasimpasa, Turkey), Fakhreddine Ben Youssef (Al Ittifaq, Saudi Arabia), Mohamed Amine Ben Amor (Al Ahli SC, Saudi Arabia).

Others are Dylan Bronn (Gent, Belgium), Khalil Chammam (ESperance), Seifeddine Khaoui (Troyes, France), Oussama Haddadi (Dijon, France), Ahmed Khalil (Club Africain), Wahbi Khazri (Rennes, France), Taha Yassine Khenissi (ESperance), Ali Maâloul (Al Ahly, Egypt), Alaeddine Marzouki (CS Sfaxien), Yassine Meriah (CS Sfaxien), Youssef Msakni (Al Duhail, Qatar), Hamdi Nagguez (Zamalek, Egypt), Elyes Skhiri (Montpellier, France), Naim Sliti (Dijon, France), Ferjani Sassi (Al Nasr, UAE), Bassem Serarfi (Nice, France).

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