Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri could make his World Cup bow against Denmark on Tuesday having started Tunisia’s only warm-up match.
The 19-year-old, who will wear the number eight jersey for the Eagles of Carthage in Qatar, started in a forward three in Tunisia’s 2-0 win against Iran this afternoon, according to Tunisie Numerique.
Hannibal will be hoping to retain his place in Jalel Kadri’s starting line-up for Tunisia’s World Cup opener against European Championship semi-finalists Denmark in six days time.
If the former Monaco starlet is handed his World Cup debut against the Danes, then United’s talented number 46 will likely come up against fellow Red Devil Christian Eriksen.
Hannibal Mejbri started Tunisia’s World Cup warm-up match
The teenager arrives in the Middle East in good form and with plenty of first team football at senior level under his belt.
Hannibal’s season-long loan move to Championship side Birmingham City looks to have boosted his chances of starting Tunisia’s World Cup opener.
Having slowly been integrated into John Eustace’s starting line-up at St Andrew’s, Birmingham’s number six has started eight of the Blues’ last nine matches.
As well as providing two assists from his 15 appearances in the second tier of English football, Hannibal has also amassed four yellow cards.
Playing in a World Cup, which is the biggest sporting event on the planet, is arguably the pinnacle of any footballer’s career, so the all-action midfielder will have to make sure that he doesn’t allow his emotions to get the better of him and he channels his nervous energy and excitement into producing inspired performances for his nation.
The 19-time Tunisia international will be hoping to be one of the breakout stars of the tournament in Qatar and impress Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
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