Tunisia cancel Mali friendly amid injuries and FIFA ranking concerns | OneFootball

Tunisia have cancelled their planned friendly against Mali, which was set for Saturday. The Tunisian Football Federation made the call on Wednesday in agreement with the national team staff and Mali’s federation, Femafoot.

Reuters reports that a shortage of available players because of injuries, and concern that the result could affect Tunisia’s FIFA ranking, were key factors.

Tunisia are 61st in the FIFA standings. They opened 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying with a 1-1 draw against Uganda on Thursday, then a 2-2 draw with Botswana on Monday.

Since the 2025 CAN, where Tunisia were eliminated in the last 16 by Mali, the Carthage Eagles have won only one of nine matches, a 1-0 friendly victory over Haiti in late March.

By contrast, Mali have posted two wins in qualifying for the next CAN, scheduled for 19 June to 17 July, beating Cape Verde 3-1 and Liberia 1-0.

Source: L'Équipe

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