Football in Tunisia

Tunisian football. — Football in Tunisia

Football is the undisputed top sport in Tunisia, characterized by intense rivalries, technical tactical play, and a rich history of national and continental success.

Known as Les Aigles de Carthage (The Eagles of Carthage), the Tunisian national team is a dominant force in African football and a regular fixture on the world stage including the 2026 World Cup. They also competed at the 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, and 2022 World Cups but have never progressed beyond the group stage. The Eagles of Carthage have lifted the African Cup of Nations once in 2004 on home soil beating Morocco 2-1 in the final. They were runners-up in both 1965 and 1996.


Tunisia World Cup 2026 Copyright © Soccerphile	Tunisia World Cup 2026 Copyright © Soccerphile

Domestic League: Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 (CLP-1)

Founded in 1921 (and professionalized in 1994), Ligue Professionnelle 1 is governed by the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF). It is widely recognized as one of the most competitive top-flight leagues in both North Africa and the Arab world.

Structure: The league generally features 16 clubs competing in a home-and-away round-robin format.
Continental Spots: Top finishers qualify for the CAF Champions League and the CAF Confederation Cup, competitions where Tunisian clubs routinely reach the late knockout rounds.

Famous Clubs

Tunisian club football is anchored by a group of traditional powerhouses known for tactical rigor and fierce supporter cultures:

Club	Nickname / Base	Highlights & Reputation
Espérance Sportive de Tunis (EST)	The Blood and Gold (Tunis)	The most decorated club in Tunisia. Holds a record 30+ Ligue 1 titles and 4 CAF Champions League trophies. They share the dramatic Tunis Derby rivalry with Club Africain.
Club Africain (CA)	The Clubbies (Tunis - Bab Jedid)	Founded in 1920, CA is one of Tunisia’s oldest and most widely supported clubs. Winners of 14 domestic titles and the 1991 African Cup of Champions Clubs.
Étoile Sportive du Sahel (ESS)	The Red Brigade (Sousse)	The pride of Sousse and the Sahel region. ESS is renowned for its continental pedigree, winning 10 Ligue 1 titles along with 1 CAF Champions League and 2 CAF Confederation Cups.
CS Sfaxien (CSS)	The Juventus of the Arabs (Sfax)	Based in the industrial coastal city of Sfax, CSS holds 8 league titles and a record 3 CAF Confederation Cup trophies.
Stade Tunisien (ST)	The Green and Red (Tunis)	Historic capital club formed in 1948, known as part of the traditional "Big Four" in Tunis history.

Stadiums

Hammadi Agrebi Stadium (Stade Olympique de Radès)

Hammadi Agrebi Stadium, also known as Stade Olympique de Radès, is located in Radès, near the capital city of Tunis. With a capacity of approximately 65,000 spectators, it is the largest stadium in the country. The stadium is used by the Tunisia national football team and is also associated with two major Tunisian clubs, Espérance de Tunis and Club Africain. It hosts important domestic and international football matches and was a venue for the 2004 African Cup of Nations.

Sousse Olympic Stadium (Stade Olympique de Sousse)

Sousse Olympic Stadium, also known as Stade Olympique de Sousse, is located in the coastal city of Sousse. It has a capacity of approximately 50,000 spectators. The stadium is home to Étoile Sportive du Sahel, one of Tunisia's well-known football clubs. It serves as an important venue for football matches and other sporting events, attracting supporters from Sousse and the surrounding region. The ground was a venue for matches at the 1977 FIFA U-20 World Cup, 1994 African Cup of Nations, 2001 Mediterranean Games and 2004 African Cup of Nations.

El Menzah Stadium (Stade El Menzah)

El Menzah Stadium, also known as Stade El Menzah, is located in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. The venue has a capacity of approximately 45,000 spectators and has been associated with two major football clubs, Club Africain and Espérance de Tunis. Currently undergoing renovation since 2019, El Menzah Stadium is expected to reopen sometime in 2027.