PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anis Ben Slimane |
| Date of Birth | 16/03/2001 (Age: 25) |
| Place of Birth | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| Nationality | Tunisian (also holds Danish citizenship) |
| Height | 1.86–1.88 m |
| Weight | 80–86 kg |
| Position | Central / Attacking Midfielder |
| Squad Number | #20 (Norwich City) |
| Current Club | Norwich City |
| Previous Clubs | AB Gladsaxe, Brøndby IF, Sheffield United |
| International Caps | 44+ |
| International Goals | 4+ |
| World Cup Appearances | 2022, 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | ~€4M |
The Frozen Moment
Al Rayyan, Qatar. November 22, 2022. Tunisia’s opening World Cup match against Denmark. For Anis Ben Slimane, the 21-year-old midfielder who had grown up in Copenhagen and played for Denmark’s youth teams, the moment was one of profound complexity—a debut on the biggest stage, facing the country of his birth.
Ben Slimane started the match, playing in a historic 0-0 draw against the nation he had once hoped to represent. It was the culmination of a youth career that had seen him play for eight different clubs in twelve years before finally breaking through at Brøndby, and then a senior career that had begun with a goal on his Tunisia debut against Sudan in October 2020.
Four years later, at the 2026 World Cup in North America, Ben Slimane was selected for his second World Cup tournament as part of Sabri Lamouchi’s 26-man squad. He had made the move to Norwich City, and he was now one of Tunisia’s most experienced midfielders, with over 44 caps to his name.
Origins
Born on March 16, 2001, in Copenhagen, Denmark, Anis Ben Slimane’s football journey was a nomadic one. He started playing at age 7 for BK Vestia, the club closest to his home in the Vesterbro neighbourhood, before moving through a succession of Copenhagen clubs including KB, FA 2000, Herfølge Boldklub, and B.93.
At age 12, he signed with Brøndby IF’s academy, but after 18 months, his family’s move to Høje Gladsaxe made the travel to Brøndby excessive, prompting a return to KB, then a spell at Lyngby Boldklub, and finally a four-year stay at Akademisk Boldklub (AB). During this period, Ben Slimane was close to retiring from football entirely, but the support of his family and friends helped him persevere.
A growth spurt of 15 cm during one summer at AB’s academy enabled him to become more dominant physically and helped him develop as a player. He made his first-team debut for AB on April 7, 2018, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute.
Ben Slimane made 18 league appearances for AB, scoring two goals, before joining Brøndby’s U19 squad in June 2019.
The European Forge
AB Gladsaxe (2018-2019):
Ben Slimane made 18 league appearances for AB, scoring two goals. His performances in the Danish 2nd Division impressed Brøndby scouts.
Brøndby IF (2019-2023):
Ben Slimane joined Brøndby in June 2019 and quickly progressed to the first team. He made his professional debut on February 16, 2020, starting in a 2-0 away win over OB in the Danish Superliga. His first goal for the club came on March 8, 2020, in a 2-2 draw away at FC Nordsjælland.
At Brøndby, he won the Danish Superliga title in the 2020-21 season. In total, he made 104 Superliga appearances, scoring 9 goals. Across all competitions, he made over 100 appearances for Brøndby before departing for England.
Sheffield United (2023-2025):
Ben Slimane joined Premier League club Sheffield United in July 2023. He made 15 Premier League appearances for the Blades. In the 2024/25 season, he made 14 Championship appearances, scoring 1 goal.
Norwich City (2025-Present):
On loan from Sheffield United, Ben Slimane joined Norwich City in August 2024. He made 14 Championship appearances in the 2024/25 season. He signed permanently for Norwich in January 2025.
In the 2025/26 Championship season, Ben Slimane has been a regular for the Canaries. He has made 21 Championship appearances (15 starts), accumulating 1,221 minutes, scoring 5 goals and providing 2 assists. His per-90 statistics are impressive: 0.37 goals and 0.15 assists, placing him in the 93rd and 80th percentiles respectively. He has recorded 4 yellow cards across all competitions in the 2025/26 season.
Tunisia National Team (2020-Present):
Ben Slimane made his senior debut for Tunisia on October 1, 2020, scoring the third goal in a 3-0 friendly victory over Sudan. He was called up to Tunisia’s 2022 World Cup squad and started the opening group match against his birth nation, Denmark.
He has accumulated 44 international caps and scored 4 goals for Tunisia. He was named in Sabri Lamouchi’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, his second consecutive World Cup appearance.
The Anatomy of His Game
Anis Ben Slimane is a versatile midfielder who can operate as a central midfielder or in a more advanced attacking role. He combines technical ability with physical presence.
In Possession:
Ben Slimane is a creative force in midfield. In the 2025/26 Championship season, his expected goals (xG) per 90 of 0.42 placed him in the 94th percentile among midfielders, while his expected assists (xA) per 90 of 0.19 placed him in the 82nd percentile. He has recorded 5 goals and 2 assists in the Championship this season, with a minutes-per-goal rate of 244. He has accumulated over 20 career goals across all competitions.
Out of Possession:
Ben Slimane contributes defensively with a strong work rate. In the 2025/26 Championship season, he recorded 4 yellow cards, reflecting his combative approach. His defensive actions include tackles and interceptions across the pitch.
Psychological Edge:
Ben Slimane has demonstrated remarkable resilience, having overcome a nomadic youth career and the decision to switch allegiance from Denmark—the country of his birth—to Tunisia. His ability to perform on the biggest stage, including starting a World Cup match against Denmark, speaks to his composure and self-belief.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 21 (15) | 1,221 | 5 | 2 | 4Y 0R |
| FA Cup | 3 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| League Cup | 1 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | — | — | — | — | — |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season/Period | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-2023 | Brøndby IF | Superliga | 104 | 9 |
| 2023-2025 | Sheffield United | Premier League/Championship | 29+ | 1 |
| 2025-Present | Norwich City | Championship | 21+ | 5+ |
| TOTAL | — | — | 151+ | 21+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | — | — | Group Stage |
| FIFA World Cup 2022 | 1 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Africa Cup of Nations | — | — | — |
| Tunisia Senior Career | 44 | 4 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Senior Debut | AB Gladsaxe |
| 2020 | Brøndby Debut | vs OB |
| 2020 | Tunisia Debut | Scored vs Sudan |
| 2020/21 | Danish Superliga Winner | Brøndby |
| 2022 | World Cup Debut | vs Denmark |
| 2023 | Sheffield United Transfer | Premier League move |
| 2025 | Norwich City Transfer | Permanent move |
| 2026 | Second World Cup | Tunisia squad |
What these figures reveal is a player who has developed into a consistent performer across multiple European leagues. Ben Slimane has accumulated over 150 professional appearances and 21 career goals. His 44 caps for Tunisia and two World Cup campaigns demonstrate his importance to the national team. His 2025/26 Championship season—5 goals in 21 appearances—has been his most productive in English football.
The Present Tense
Anis Ben Slimane is 25 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a Norwich City player in the Championship and a key member of Tunisia’s World Cup squad.
The Norwich City Story:
Ben Slimane signed permanently for Norwich City in January 2025. In the 2025/26 Championship season, he has made 21 appearances, scoring 5 goals and providing 2 assists, with an average rating placing him among the league’s most effective midfielders. He has been a regular starter for the Canaries.
The World Cup Campaign:
Ben Slimane was named in Sabri Lamouchi’s 26-man Tunisia squad for the 2026 World Cup. He is one of Tunisia’s most experienced midfielders, having previously played at the 2022 World Cup. Tunisia are in Group J alongside Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands.
International Record:
Ben Slimane has 44 caps for Tunisia and has scored 4 international goals. He made his debut in 2020 and has been a regular presence in the national team setup since. He has represented Tunisia at two World Cups and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Anis Ben Slimane’s journey is one of remarkable resilience. His youth career saw him play for eight different clubs in twelve years, and he was close to retiring from football before his breakthrough. His family and friends were instrumental in supporting him during those difficult periods.
Born in Denmark to a Tunisian family, he holds dual citizenship and chose to represent his heritage over his country of birth. He made appearances for both Denmark U19 and Tunisia U20 before committing to Tunisia at senior level.
His decision culminated in a poignant moment at the 2022 World Cup when he started against Denmark—the country where he was born and raised. His journey from a nomadic youth career to two World Cup appearances is a testament to his perseverance and belief.
The Verdict from the Camp
BBC Sport:
Ben Slimane was named in Tunisia’s 26-man World Cup squad alongside Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri.
Sabri Lamouchi, Tunisia head coach:
Lamouchi selected Ben Slimane for his second World Cup squad, trusting his experience and versatility in midfield.
Statistic:
Ben Slimane has 44 caps for Tunisia and has scored 4 international goals.
Statistic:
Ben Slimane has scored 5 goals in 21 Championship appearances for Norwich City in the 2025/26 season.
Statistic:
Ben Slimane made his World Cup debut against his country of birth, Denmark, at the 2022 World Cup.
Where Next?
Anis Ben Slimane is 25 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established as a key player for Norwich City in the Championship, where his 2025/26 form—5 goals in 21 appearances—has demonstrated his quality. His performances will be crucial as Norwich push for promotion.
For Tunisia, Ben Slimane is one of the most experienced players in the squad. With 44 caps and two World Cups under his belt, he is a leader in the midfield. He is expected to continue as a cornerstone of the national team for years to come, with the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations as the next major target.
From the streets of Copenhagen to the World Cup, Anis Ben Slimane’s journey is one of resilience, complex identity, and the power of family. The boy who almost gave up on football has become a two-time World Cup player and a symbol of Tunisia’s footballing ambition.
