Highly-rated prospect omitted from World Cup squad after his father calls 'shocked' coach to turn down call-up

A highly-rated prospect who was set to earn a call-up to play in this summer's World Cup will not take part in the tournament after his father rejected a proposal from manager Sabri Lamouchi.

Louey Ben Farhat, who plays for German club Karlsruher SC, has been linked with a move to the Bundesliga this summer following a breakthrough campaign at the Wildparkstadion.

Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Eintracht Frankfurt are monitoring Farhat, according to reports, with Karlsruher's sporting director Timon Pauls seeking around €12 million (£10.4m) for the talented forward.

After bagging five goals and one assist in Germany's second tier this season, a call-up to play for Tunisia at this summer's World Cup was on the horizon.

However, the teenager has been left out of the 26-man squad after the player’s father contacted Sabri Lamouchi directly to express concerns that an international call-up had arrived too early in his career.

Speaking in a press conference this week, Lamouchi said: "I received a call from Louey Ben Farhat’s father this morning. He told me it was too early to select him and he refused."

"I was shocked," he added. "I called Louey, he didn’t answer. I called his father back, he didn’t answer either. It’s a lack of respect. That’s the end of the matter."

According to reports in Tunisia, the player's entourage fears that a poor World Cup campaign could slow down a possible move to the Bundesliga.

Away from the Farhat situation, Lamouchi named a much-changed squad for the World Cup, where they will take on Japan, the Netherlands and Sweden in Group F.

Union Berlin midfielder Rani Khedira is set to make his first official competitive appearance for Tunisia after being called up.

Norwich City's Anis Ben Slimane, meanwhile, will return to the squad after spending much of 2025 sidelined because of injuries.

Hannibal Mejbri, Elias Achouri, Ellyes Skhiri and Ali Abdi are the standout names in Lamouchi's plans.

"These decisions were not easy; on the contrary, they were extremely difficult," said the Tunisia manager. "But I am not looking to make simple decisions."

Tunisia's 26-man squad for the World Cup in full

Goalkeepers

Sabri Ben Hassan

Abdelmouhib Chamakh

Aymen Dahmene

Defenders

Ali Abdi

Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida

Adem Arous

Dylan Bronn

Raed Chikhaoui

Moutaz Neffati

Omar Rekik

Montassar Talbi

Yan Valery

Midfielders

Mortadha Ben Ouanes

Anis Ben Slimane

Ismael Gharbi

Rani Khedira

Hadj Mahmoud

Hannibal Mejbri

Ellyes Skhiri

Forwards

Elias Achouri

Khalil Ayari

Firas Chaouat

Rayan Elloumi

Hazem Mastouri

Elias Saad

Sebastian Tounekti