132 days have passed since Tunisia qualified for their fifth World Cup, and their first in twelve years. This week's frigid weather has done nothing to cool anticipation of an adoring footballing nation, anxious to welcome their heroes home for their only domestic friendly match before the World Cup.
Friday's matchup pits the highest-ranked nations in both the African and Asian continent against one another. Both coaches, Nabil Maaloul and Carlos Queiroz, addressed the press at the Stade Olympique de Rades ahead of light training sessions on Thursday afternoon.
For Maaloul, in his second stint in charge of the Carthage Eagles, the Iran match is the first of a few limited chances to tighten the nuts and bolts on an engine that he will try to drive to an unprecedented trip to the knockout stages.
Despite losing out on Sevilla hotshot Wissem Ben Yedder, and discarding the idea of naturalizing Ivorian midfielder Fousseny Coulibaly, Maaloul reinforced his ranks across the pitch with a handful of players from the Tunisian diaspora.
Between the sticks, Cheateauroux goalkeeper Moez Hassen has finally accepted a call-up, and could prove a long-term solution. Leicester City defender Yohan Benalouane has also responded favourably to his country's solicitations and should add even experience to a rugged backline, while Ellyes Skhiri and Seifeddine Khaoui are two of Ligue 1's brightest prospects in defensive and attacking midfield.
Debates in Carthage coffee shops have hinged on Maaloul's motives for introducing new blood to a winning formula.
On one hand, handing international debuts to players who had not participated to the World Cup qualification campaign could upset a delicate balance in team chemistry, yet in a Group G where Tunisia are betting underdogs alongside England, Belgium and Panama, recruiting players with European experience could help bridge an important gap in quality.
Ali Maaloul, a Tunisian regular since 2013, deflected accusations of unrest outside of Rades' training ground annex.
"Any new player that can contribute is welcome," the Al-Ahly full-back began. "There's a great atmosphere for these two important matches."
Benalouane, struggling for gametime at Leicester City, echoed the importance of playing time to a circle of journalists huddled together to block out the cold.
"The World Cup is a dream for any player, but at the moment the most important match is tomorrow's," he began. "After that we will think about the next steps."
Although Maaloul will award his debutants a chance to stake their claim, he did mention that Tunisia will try a new formation.
The hosts are likely to stick to a tested 4-3-3 before loosening the reins in the upcoming match against Costa Rica - an outfit the manager likens to future opponents Panama.
"The scheme we usually use is a 4-3-3, but maybe we'll play with 3 defenders in our second friendly versus Costa Rica because we have a lot of quality central defenders like Syam [Ben Youssef], Yassine [Meriah], Yohan [Benalouane], Dylan [Bronn]."
A successful run out for the hosts would not necessarily translate to a victory, but would more importantly end arguments about which players deserve to be on the plane to Russia.
"90% of this squad will be in Russia," Maaloul told a room of inquiring journalists, his tired head in his hands. It was clear that he understood that whoever occupied the final four or five places of his squad would create division among the expectant public.
"I hope that by the Turkey match in June, things will become clear."