Eight players from Tunisia's 2026 World Cup squad have tested positive for clenbuterol, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). According to The Times, the players ingested the substance by consuming contaminated meat at their World Cup base in Mexico.
Clubs informed, but FIFA likely to waive penalties
The clubs of the affected players have been notified about the situation. However, it is likely that FIFA will not impose sanctions because the incident is assessed to have originated from contaminated food sources rather than intentional use of banned substances. This decision aligns with previous cases of unintentional doping linked to contaminated meat in Mexico.
Tunisia's disappointing tournament
Tunisia endured a miserable World Cup campaign, losing 5-1 to Sweden on June 15, 4-0 to Japan on June 21, and 3-1 to the Netherlands on June 26. The team failed to advance past the group stage.
History of clenbuterol contamination in Mexico
There is a precedent for athletes testing positive in Mexico after unknowingly eating contaminated meat. During the 2011 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, held in Mexico, no fewer than 109 players returned positive tests for clenbuterol. Both FIFA and WADA decided not to prosecute any cases because the weight of evidence pointed to contamination. Notably, the host nation Mexico, which won the tournament, tested clean after switching to a diet of fish and vegetables before the event.
