World Cup 2026: Tunisia Hit by Doping Scare After Eight Players Test Positive

Tunisia’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been overshadowed by a doping scare after at least eight players from the national team returned atypical findings for the banned substance clenbuterol.

According to a report by the Daily Mail, several members of the Carthage Eagles squad, including players based in the United Kingdom, tested positive for traces of the substance during routine anti-doping checks conducted at the tournament.

Clenbuterol is a drug used to relax the airways in the lungs and is included on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of prohibited substances because of its potential performance-enhancing effects.

However, anti-doping authorities have determined that the presence of the substance in the players’ samples was most likely caused by food contamination rather than deliberate doping.

Investigators believe the clenbuterol entered the players’ systems through contaminated meat consumed by the Tunisian squad while staying at their training base in Mexico during the World Cup.

The findings have been communicated to the clubs of the affected players as part of standard anti-doping procedures.

Despite the positive results, those involved are not expected to face disciplinary action because the evidence points to accidental ingestion rather than intentional use of a prohibited substance.

Contaminated meat has previously been identified as a source of clenbuterol in several international sporting events, particularly in countries where the drug has reportedly been used illegally in livestock production.

The latest development adds to what has already been a disappointing World Cup campaign for Tunisia.

The North African side failed to progress beyond the group stage after suffering heavy defeats in all three of their matches.

Tunisia opened their campaign with a 5-1 defeat to Sweden before losing 4-0 to Japan.

Their tournament ended with a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands, leaving them without a single point.

Although the doping findings are unlikely to result in sanctions, the incident has attracted significant attention and further compounded Tunisia’s difficult outing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.