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TUNIS, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Tunisia have dropped six of their World Cup campaigners but named just two uncapped players in their squad for a friendly against European champions France in Tunis later this month. Caretaker coach Youssef Zouaoui selected a 21-man squad at the weekend, drawn predominantly from the group that went to the World Cup finals in Japan in June, for the match at the recently-built Rades stadium in Tunis on August 21.

Veteran striker Adel Sellimi, who captained the side at the World Cup finals, and experienced midfielder Zoubier Baya have been left out.

Their omission potentially signals the end of their international careers. Zouaoui, starting a third stint as national coach, also left out Turkish-based midfielder Riadh Bouazizi and the striker Ziad Jaziri, who has recently gone on loan to a club in the United Arab Emirates. Called up for the first time are Jaouhar Mnari from champions Esperance and Stade Tunisien's striker Mohamed Selliti.

The squad includes six European-based players. The match is the first for Tunisia since their first round elimination at the World Cup finals, where they shared a group with Belgium, Russia and hosts Japan. Tunisia host the 2004 African Nations Cup finals and the match against the French is the first of several planned warm-up international over the next 18 months.