African powerhouse Tunisia will enter the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship 2025 without star spiker Wassim Ben Tara, but remains a dangerous opponent for Alas Pilipinas in their highly anticipated Pool A opener.

Ben Tara, Tunisia’s leading scorer in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was left out of the final roster due to prior commitments. Despite his absence, veterans Hamza Nagga and Elyes Karamosli are set to spearhead the squad when they clash with the Philippines on September 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Pool A match will serve as the tournament’s first game, followed by a historic opening ceremony featuring K-pop group BOYNEXTDOOR and Cebuana artist Karencitta—a first in FIVB World Championship history.

Tunisia’s veteran core still formidable

Nagga, a 6-foot-2 opposite, and Karamosli, a 6-foot-4 outside hitter, were pivotal in extending Tunisia’s dominance with their 11th African Championship title in 2021.

Now guided by Italian coach Camillo Placi, a former deputy for Russia’s bronze-winning squad in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Tunisia aims to bounce back after a fifth-place finish in the 2023 African Championship.

Placi will face a familiar rival in compatriot Angiolino Frigoni, who leads the host nation, Alas Pilipinas.

Tunisia’s recent form

Currently ranked No. 42 in the FIVB world rankings, Tunisia is the 11th-highest team among non-direct qualifiers for Manila’s expanded 32-team edition, the biggest in FIVB history.

The team finished 16th in the 2022 World Championship co-hosted by Slovenia and Poland, and is determined to improve its standing, especially with Pool A rivals No. 13 Iran, No. 23 Egypt, and No. 82 Philippines.

Egypt dethroned Tunisia in 2023, ending its three-title reign in Africa, but Tunisia’s consistency on the global stage keeps it a strong contender.

Prepared for Manila spotlight

Tunisia opened its training camp in May, ensuring four months of preparation before the Manila showcase. Backed by major sponsors including PLDT, MWell, Meralco, Rebisco, Akari, Nuvali, Asics, Senoh, Mikasa, Cignal, Honda, BMW, and supported by the PSC and POC, the African squad is ready for a fiery showdown against the host nation.

With Nagga and Karamosli leading the charge and Placi calling the shots, Tunisia remains a major threat even without Ben Tara—and could spoil the homecoming party of Alas Pilipinas in their FIVB debut.