KHAZ FOR CONCERN
World Cup 2018: Lowdown on Tunisia as the hungry Eagles get claws into the Three Lions in Volgograd
Sunderland outcast Wahbi Khazri could be the African outsiders' key man after revitalising his career on loan at Rennes
THE waiting ends for England on Monday night... against a team who have been waiting 40 years for only their second ever World Cup win.
Gareth Southgate's men take on outsiders Tunisia, who have qualified for just four finals, in their group opener in Volgograd.
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But in their very first match, in June 1978, the Carthage Eagles became the first African side to win a game at the tournament, surprising Mexico 3-1.
So what can their latest generation - a hard-working collection of little-known players - offer against the Three Lions' Premier League superstars?
Here's our guide to a side whose boss Nabil Maaloul is publicly targeting a quarter-final spot.
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STAR MAN
WAHBI KHAZRI has become Tunisia’s star man after proving to be a hugely important player for Rennes in France on loan from Sunderland. Winger can play anywhere.
BIG LOSS
THE loss of gifted playmaker Youssef Msakni through injury is a massive blow for Tunisia. They have not had a genuinely star player in the team since he was crocked in April.
FORMATION
TUNISIA coach Nabil Maaloul likes to change tactics but is set to use a 4-2-3-1 system with Wahbi Khazri playing in a central role — even though he generally features on the wing.
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PREM TSAR IN THE MAKING
WINGER Naim Sliti, 25, is a tricky player on loan at Dijon from Lille. He is due to start on the left.
REFEREE
COLOMBIAN ref Wilmar Roldan sent off the wrong player in a Confederations Cup match last summer.
But VAR corrected the mistake during Cameroon’s clash with Germany.
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