PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida |
| Date of Birth | 15 December 1995 (Age: 30) |
| Place of Birth | Tunis, Tunisia |
| Nationality | Tunisian |
| Height | 1.81–1.87 m / 5 ft 11 in–6 ft 1½ in |
| Weight | 71–76 kg |
| Position | Left-Back / Wing-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #20 (Espérance) |
| Current Club | Espérance de Tunis |
| Previous Clubs | Olympique Béja (loan), AS Soliman (loan) |
| International Caps | 16 |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 30 June 2026 |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America marked a significant milestone for Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida. The 30-year-old left-back, a product of Espérance de Tunis’s famed youth academy, was named in Tunisia’s 26-man squad for the tournament—his first appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Ben Hamida made his World Cup debut against Sweden, starting on the left flank in Tunisia’s opening Group B encounter. He also started against Japan and the Netherlands, accumulating 270 minutes of tournament football. While Tunisia were eliminated in the group stage, Ben Hamida’s performances demonstrated his reliability and composure at the highest level.
For a player who had spent his entire career in Tunisian football, with only brief loan spells away from Espérance, the World Cup was the reward for years of dedication. “The boy who joined Espérance at age five is now a World Cup player,” his journey seemed to say.
Origins
Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida was born on 15 December 1995 in Tunis, Tunisia. His football journey began at the age of five when he joined Espérance de Tunis’s youth academy in 2000. He progressed through the ranks, spending 16 years in the club’s youth system before making his senior breakthrough.
He made his senior debut for Espérance in 2016. To gain experience, he was loaned to Olympique Béja for the 2016-17 season, making nine appearances, and later to AS Soliman (2017-2019), though he made no league appearances there. Upon returning to Espérance, he established himself as a regular in the first team, accumulating over 131 league appearances and scoring 6 goals.
He made his senior debut for Tunisia on 30 November 2021 in a 2021 FIFA Arab Cup match against Mauritania.
The Professional Forge
Espérance de Tunis (2016-Present):
Ben Hamida has spent the majority of his career at Espérance, one of Africa’s most successful clubs. He has amassed 131 league appearances, scoring six goals. His trophy haul at the club includes multiple Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 titles and CAF Champions League triumphs.
His contract with Espérance runs until 30 June 2026.
Loan Spells: Olympique Béja & AS Soliman (2016-2019):
To accelerate his development, Ben Hamida was loaned to Olympique Béja for the 2016-17 season, where he made nine appearances. He then moved to AS Soliman on loan from 2017 to 2019, though he made no league appearances for the club.
International Career:
Ben Hamida has earned 16 caps for the Tunisian senior national team since his debut in 2021. He was selected for the 2026 World Cup squad, his first major tournament with the national team. He also represented Tunisia at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with Espérance, making three appearances.
The Anatomy of His Game
Ben Hamida is a left-footed defender known for his versatility, work rate, and tactical discipline. He plays primarily as a left-back, but has been deployed as a wing-back and an inverted wing-back.
In Possession:
Ben Hamida contributes to build-up play from the back. In the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, he recorded 3 crosses and maintained a passing range that allowed him to support attacking transitions.
Out of Possession:
Ben Hamida is a disciplined defender who reads the game well. In the Club World Cup, he made 4 interceptions and 1 tackle, with no cards received. His physical attributes, standing at 1.81–1.87 metres, give him an aerial presence.
Psychological Edge:
Ben Hamida’s career is defined by loyalty and perseverance. He has remained at Espérance for the vast majority of his career, resisting moves abroad. His World Cup selection at age 30 is a testament to his consistency and professionalism.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 3 | 270 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE B: 2025 Club World Cup Snapshot (Espérance)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Interceptions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA Club World Cup | 3 | 3 | 270 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
TABLE C: Career (League Only)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Espérance de Tunis | 2016-Present | 131 | 6 |
| Olympique Béja (loan) | 2016-2017 | 9 | 0 |
| AS Soliman (loan) | 2017-2019 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | 140 | 6 |
TABLE D: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Tunisia Senior Career | 16 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 0 |
What these figures reveal is a player who has been a consistent presence in Tunisian football for nearly a decade. His 140 league appearances and 6 goals for Espérance reflect his reliability and loyalty to his boyhood club. His World Cup debut, at age 30, was the crowning achievement of a career built on steady progress and professionalism.
The Present Tense
Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida is 30 years old and at the peak of his career. He is a left-back for Espérance de Tunis and a World Cup squad member for Tunisia.
The Espérance Story:
Ben Hamida has been with Espérance since the age of five, making him one of the club’s longest-serving players. He has amassed 131 league appearances and won multiple domestic and continental trophies. His contract with the club runs until 30 June 2026.
The World Cup Campaign:
Ben Hamida was selected in Sabri Lamouchi’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, making his tournament debut against Sweden. He started all three of Tunisia’s group-stage matches, accumulating 270 minutes. He featured in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with Espérance, making three appearances.
International Record:
Ben Hamida has earned 16 caps for the Tunisian national team since his debut in 2021. He has yet to score his first international goal.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Ben Hamida is defined by his loyalty to Espérance and his journey from the club’s youth academy to the World Cup. He joined the club at age five and has spent 21 years in its ranks, with only brief loan spells away. His commitment to the Tunisian giants has made him a fan favourite.
His World Cup selection, at age 30, was a reward for years of consistent performances. As FIFA’s Tunisia profile noted, the Carthage Eagles had “proud traditions and a deep desire to write their own history.” Ben Hamida was part of that history.
The Verdict from the Camp
Sabri Lamouchi, Tunisia Head Coach:
Lamouchi selected Ben Hamida for the 2026 World Cup squad, valuing his experience and reliability.
Where Next?
Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida is 30 years old and has just completed a World Cup campaign with Tunisia. His contract with Espérance de Tunis expires on 30 June 2026. His future at club level is uncertain—a new contract or a move to a new club are both possibilities.
For Tunisia, Ben Hamida provides experience and depth at left-back. With 16 caps and a World Cup appearance, he has proven his ability at the international level.
From the youth academy of Espérance to the World Cup, Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida’s journey is a story of loyalty, perseverance, and quiet achievement. The boy who joined Espérance at age five is now a World Cup player—and a testament to the value of staying true to your roots.
