Tunisia striker Youssef Msakni has confirmed on Instagram that he will not be fit enough to play for his country in 2018 World Cup because of a knee injury.

The 21-year-old Al Duhail striker was injured on Saturday during his Qatar club 5-2 win over Al Sailiya in their last game of the season to lift the league title.

The striker wrote on Instagram: “Thank God for this, but it’s just fate to experience the unexpected. Congratulations for the trophy. Sadly this injury has denied me a chance to continue with my club and to play in the World Cup.”

Msakni is seen as a crucial player for Tunisia and it will be interesting to see how they cope without him.

With 25 league goals this season Maskni was Al Duhail’s top scorer in the Qatar Star League League.

Msakni has been capped 39 times by the Carthage Eagles, scoring nine goals, including a hat-trick against Guinea as Tunisia sealed qualification to the World Cup finals after a 12-year absence.

Tunisia will face England in their first opening match of the tournament before meeting Belgium in their second group game, with Panama completing Group G.