World Cup

Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri retires from international football after World Cup exit

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 02 December 2022

Tunisia striker Wahbi Khazri, the country's second-highest goalscorer of all time, announces his retirement from international football following their World Cup exit.

Tunisia striker Wahbi Khazri has announced his retirement from the national team after their exit from the 2022 World Cup.

The Montpellier HSC attacker scored the only goal of the game as Jalel Kadri's side beat defending champions France 1-0 in their final Group D match on Wednesday evening.

However, that result was not enough for a place in the knockout rounds for Tunisia, who had previously held Denmark to a goalless draw before losing 1-0 to Australia.

The Eagles of Carthage finished third in Group D to bow out of the World Cup at the group stage for the sixth time in a row, and Khazri has now announced that the 2022 World Cup will be his last international tournament.

"I told the group yesterday after the match, at the hotel, in a big meeting. I think it's the right time, after five African Cups and two World Cups. I made my parents, my family, my wife and my children proud," Khazri told beIN Sports.

Tunisia forward Wahbi Khazri celebrates scoring against France at the World Cup on November 30, 2022. © Reuters

"Playing for my country was exceptional. I made proud, I think, the Tunisian people, the circle is complete. Ending with a victory against the France team is one of the best moments of my career.

"I thank all the Tunisian people who have been behind me, the players who have been by my side in good and bad times."

Khazri's winner against France was his 25th goal in 74 caps for Tunisia, and he retires from international duty as the country's second-highest goalscorer of all time.

The 31-year-old only sits behind Issam Jemaa (36) in the Eagles of Carthage's scoring charts, having briefly represented France at youth level before pledging allegiance to Tunisia.

Khazri's international career spanned nearly a decade after he made his debut against Ethiopia in a friendly in January 2013, while his first goal came in a World Cup qualifying win over Sierra Leone two months later.

Tunisia's Wahbi Khazri applauds fans after the match in September 2022 © Reuters

The former Saint-Etienne attacker represented his country at two World Cups, scoring three goals and setting up two more in five matches, and he also played at five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Khazri has two goals and one assist to his name from 11 Ligue 1 appearances for Montpellier this season, although his club future is also up in the air, as his contract at the Stade de la Mosson expires at the end of the season.

As well as Khazri, Tunisia manager Kadri was questioned on his future with the national team after previously claiming that it was his "personal mission" to get the Eagles of Carthage through to the World Cup last 16.

However, the 51-year-old has affirmed that he will not resign from his position, and any decision that is made on his job will instead come from the Tunisian Football Federation.