Souayar resigned as Tunsian coach on health grounds

As Nations Cup hosts, Tunisia are not involved in the qualifying campaign, which starts in Africa next month, and have yet to announce a programme of warm-up games before the finals.

As well as being France's first match under new coach Jacques Santini it is also their only warm up before the European Championship qualifiers next month.

Santini has promised to restore French pride after the humiliation of the World Cup, when the defending champions were knocked out in the first round without scoring a single goal.

"France must bounce back and prove their real worth," said Santini, who took over after Roger Lemerre was sacked following the World Cup.

"I'm here to help them. The Tunisia match will be approached with great care.

"We will be confronted soon with the European Championship qualifying match. There are no friendly games for us anymore."

Santini has named four new caps for the friendly but has also put his faith in his established stars.

Zinedine Zidane, Emmanuel Petit, and Marcel Desailly will all travel to Tunis.

He has added some young blood in the form of Auxerre defender Philippe Mexes and Olympique Lyon striker Sidney Govou.