Tunisia monitor Ismaël Gharbi’s situation after seven games on bench

Ismaël Gharbi has not featured in FC Augsburg’s past seven matches, raising questions over his match sharpness just weeks before Tunisia’s next international gathering.

On Friday, during the 24th round of the Bundesliga season against 1. FC Köln, Augsburg secured a 2-0 victory.

However, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder remained on the bench throughout the encounter, continuing a run of limited involvement that has stretched back several weeks.

Gharbi joined the German side on loan from SC Braga on 1 September 2025, but he has struggled to cement a regular place in the squad.

Prior to departing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, he had made five Bundesliga appearances, mostly coming off the bench.

Since returning from the tournament in Morocco, his playing time has been minimal. Gharbi has accumulated just 28 minutes of league action, with his most recent appearance coming on 11 January against Borussia Mönchengladbach, when he was introduced in the 62nd minute.

The situation stands in contrast to his rapid rise with Tunisia. Since earning his first senior call-up in September 2025, he has collected 13 caps and scored twice for the Carthage Eagles.

He netted his first international goal on 10 October 2025 in a 6-0 World Cup qualifying win over São Tomé and Príncipe.

He later scored Tunisia’s only goal against Tanzania at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, converting from the penalty spot.

That contribution underlined his composure and ability to deliver in key moments, reinforcing his importance to the national setup.

Tunisia are due to assemble in March for friendlies in Toronto against Haiti on 29 March and Canada on 1 April.

The question now is whether Gharbi can rediscover rhythm and confidence despite his limited opportunities at club level, and whether he can reproduce the performances that have made him a valuable figure for his country.