The most controversial absence.. Why did the Tunisian player refuse to participate in the World Cup?

Tunisian youth player Louai Ben Farhat’s refusal to invite coach Sabri Lamouchi ahead of the 2026 World Cup has raised questions in international sporting circles, with Spanish newspaper AS describing it as “the most controversial absence of the World Cup”.

Tunisia thought they had found one of the biggest stars of their future, but now find themselves facing one of the most controversial storylines ahead of the World Cup.

19-year-old striker Louai Ben Farhat, regarded as one of Tunisia’s brightest emerging talents, came very close to making Lamouchi’s final World Cup squad.

The German-born player has become a frequent fixture in the national team selections recently and everyone thought his place in the final 26-man squad was almost guaranteed.

But when the Tunisian national team published its official roster, Ben Farhat’s name was not there.