Tunisia received a blow after key playmaker Youssef Msakni was ruled out of the 2018 World Cup in Russia after sustaining a serious knee injury with his Qatari club Al-Duhai. 

The 27-year-old will be out of action for at least six months, according Al-Duhai, after he ruptured a cruciate knee ligament during a game against Al-Sailiya in the Qatari league on Saturday.

"Thank God for this, but it's just fate to experience the unexpected ... Sadly this injury has denied me a chance to continue with my club and to play in the World Cup," Msakni said on Instagram. 

Tunisia were drawn in a tough group of the 2018 World Cup as they will face heavyweights England and Belgium. They will also play minnows Panama in Group G. 

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