Former Bafana Bafana coach Carlos Queiroz is reportedly a contender for the head coach role of Tunisia’s national football team.

The 71-year-old tactician has been clubless since departing Qatar in December 2023. He is seen as a potential replacement for Kais Yakoubi, who oversaw the team during their defeat against Gambia in a qualifier for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Despite this setback, Tunisia has secured a spot in the AFCON finals, set to take place in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026. However, the 2004 AFCON champions are considering alterations to their coaching staff.

Queiroz has a solid background in North African coaching, having managed Egypt from September 2021 to April 2022, where he led the team to the AFCON final in 2022, where they ultimately lost to Senegal on penalties.

He also guided the Iran national team to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where they suffered defeats to England (6-2) and the USA, but achieved a victory against Wales (2-0) in the group stage, leading to their exit from the tournament.

The coach, originally from Mozambique, possesses a varied managerial career, having led teams in Colombia, served as an assistant at Manchester United, and managed clubs in both Saudi Arabia and Real Madrid.

He also previously guided Bafana Bafana to the quarterfinals of the 2002 AFCON, where they were eliminated by Mali.

Furthermore, Queiroz played a pivotal role in helping Portugal reach the round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where they lost to the eventual champions, Spain.

If Tunisia opts to hire him, Queiroz’s inaugural match would be an away game against Liberia during the qualifying rounds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with matches set to resume in March.