Ismaël Gharbi Profile, Stats and Career
PSG academy graduate, three-nation youth international, Bundesliga loan — the 22-year-old who chose Tunisia for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
By
Muhammad Asad
Published June 2026Ismaël Gharbi is a 22-year-old Tunisian attacking midfielder on loan at FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga from SC Braga. Born in Paris to a Tunisian father and Spanish mother, he is one of the most uniquely backgrounded players at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — a product of Paris Saint-Germain's academy who represented both France and Spain at youth level before switching international allegiance to Tunisia. He won three Ligue 1 titles and a Coupe de France with PSG. This profile covers his age, PSG academy path, Bundesliga career, and international story.
Gharbi joined Paris FC's academy in 2010 before moving to PSG's renowned Académie in 2016 at age 12. He made his PSG senior debut in 2021 and won back-to-back Ligue 1 titles (2021–22 and 2022–23) before a loan to Stade Lausanne-Ouchy in Switzerland (2023–24) and a permanent move to SC Braga in August 2024. Braga then loaned him to FC Augsburg for the 2025–26 Bundesliga season. His Tunisia senior debut came in September 2025 in a World Cup qualifier against Liberia.
Quick Answer
Ismaël Seifallah Gharbi is a professional attacking midfielder born on 10 April 2004 in Paris, France. He plays for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga on loan from SC Braga. Gharbi previously represented France U18 and Spain U18/U19 before choosing Tunisia at senior level. He won the Ligue 1 title with PSG in 2021–22 and 2022–23 and the Coupe de France in 2020–21. His Braga contract runs through June 2029.
Early Life and Background
Ismaël Gharbi was born on 10 April 2004 in Paris, France, to a Tunisian father and a Spanish mother — a heritage that gave him eligibility to represent three different national teams. Growing up in Paris with access to PSG's youth development infrastructure from a young age, he joined Paris FC's academy in 2010 before PSG recruited him in 2016 at age twelve.
His twelve-year football education in Paris — six at Paris FC and four-plus at PSG's Académie de Football — is reflected in his technical refinement. PSG's academy is modelled on elite European standards, emphasising quick combination play, positional flexibility, and technical creativity. Those qualities are visible in how Gharbi approaches tight spaces and his ability to operate in high-pressure environments.
PSG, three national youth teams, and a path to Tunisia
After his PSG senior debut in 2021 and two Ligue 1 title wins (2021–22, 2022–23), his loan to Stade Lausanne-Ouchy in Switzerland gave him regular minutes before Braga signed him permanently in August 2024 on a contract through June 2029. Augsburg then took him on loan in September 2025. He had previously represented France U18 (2021) and Spain U18/U19 (2022–23) — eligible through his mother — before FIFA approved his switch to Tunisia on 19 August 2025. His Tunisia debut came two weeks later.
His integration into the Bundesliga at Augsburg has been a learning experience rather than a starring role — limited appearances (8 Bundesliga, 88 minutes) reflect the competitive nature of Germany's top division for a 21-year-old on loan. But his technical quality, AFCON 2025 participation (1 appearance vs Uganda), and World Cup qualifying goals (1 goal in 4 qualifying appearances) earned his place in Tunisia's 26-man squad.
Ismaël Gharbi Personal Info and Profile
| Full name | Ismaël Seifallah Gharbi |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 10 April 2004 |
| Age | 22 |
| Place of birth | Paris, France |
| Nationality | Tunisia / France / Spain (eligible) |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in / 1.73 m |
| Weight | ~132 lbs / 60 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Left Winger |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | FC Augsburg (loan from SC Braga) |
| Jersey number | 11 |
| Parent club contract | Braga, expires June 2029 |
Gharbi's multi-national background — Paris-born, PSG-educated, Spain youth international, Tunisia senior international — makes him one of the most cosmopolitan players at the 2026 World Cup. His market value is estimated at €9.7 million, reflecting his age, PSG pedigree, and Braga contract.
Transfer News and Market Value
Ismaël Gharbi joined SC Braga on a permanent deal in August 2024 on a contract through June 2029. He is currently on loan at FC Augsburg through June 2026 with an option for the German club to buy. His market value is estimated at approximately €9.7 million.
Augsburg's buy option — if exercised — would represent a significant investment in a player whose PSG background and Bundesliga adaptation are still in progress. No decision on the option has been publicly confirmed ahead of the World Cup.
Braga's contract through June 2029 gives them a strong asset regardless of whether Augsburg exercise the buy option. Any permanent transfer would likely be in the €8–12 million range based on current valuations.
Post-World Cup, Gharbi's path forward — whether at Augsburg, returning to Braga, or a new club — will depend on his World Cup performance and the exercise of the buy option. At 22 with PSG pedigree and three international youth experiences, his career options are broader than most players of his age.
Salary and Net Worth
Gharbi's salary at Augsburg is estimated between €8,000 and €12,000 per week (per FBref capology data showing ~€9,038 weekly), equating to approximately €35,000–45,000 per month.
His PSG contract would have been at youth/young professional rates — significant by academy standards but modest compared to PSG's first-team wages.
Braga's base salary structure for a young developing player is estimated at €30,000–50,000 per month.
Tunisia World Cup distribution supplements his club salary. His AFCON and World Cup qualifying involvement provided earlier international tournament payments.
Total career earnings to date are estimated at approximately $1.5–3 million USD, reflecting his young age and mixed professional-youth career.
His PSG trophies (two Ligue 1, one Coupe de France, one Trophée des Champions) add prestige to his profile without directly generating income.
Estimated net worth is approximately $800,000–1.5 million USD. His Braga contract and projected transfer trajectory suggest significant financial growth in the coming years.
Ismaël Gharbi Club Career
Gharbi made his PSG first-team debut in 2021 at age 17, earning limited appearances while contributing to their Ligue 1 and Coupe de France winning squads. His peak PSG period was 2021–24, accumulating four major domestic honours before Lausanne-Ouchy gave him his first sustained loan experience.
SC Braga's permanent signing in August 2024 was a significant step — joining a club that competes in the Primeira Liga and UEFA competitions. Augsburg's loan gave him Bundesliga exposure, where his 88 minutes across 8 appearances reflected squad-depth status rather than a starring role.
His Tunisia integration from September 2025 was rapid — debut in a 3–0 World Cup qualifier win over Liberia, a further qualifier appearance in the 1–0 win over Equatorial Guinea, 1 AFCON appearance, and ultimately World Cup squad selection in May 2026.
At Augsburg, his best domestic performance came in the Bundesliga cup competitions — mirroring his PSG experience where cup competition gave him more minutes than the top-flight league. His technical qualities are established; the question is whether consistent first-team football at a high level will translate them into regular Bundesliga output.
Club Career Stats
| Period | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–2024 | Paris Saint-Germain (+ Lausanne loan) | 30+ | 2 |
| 2024–2025 | SC Braga | 20+ | 2 |
| 2025–2026 | FC Augsburg (loan) | 8 | 0 |
PSG honours (squad member)
| Trophy | Year |
|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 2021–22, 2022–23 |
| Coupe de France | 2020–21 |
| Trophée des Champions | 2022–23 |
International Career
Ismaël Gharbi made his senior Tunisia debut on 4 September 2025 in a 3–0 World Cup qualifier win over Liberia — coming on as a substitute and contributing to one of Tunisia's most convincing qualifying victories. He scored 1 goal across 4 qualifying appearances and also appeared at AFCON 2025.
His eligibility switch from Spain youth international to Tunisia senior international — approved by FIFA on 19 August 2025 — was driven by his desire to represent his father's country at the highest level. Having represented France U18 (2021) and Spain U18/U19 (2022–23) without committing at senior level, he chose Tunisia when the World Cup opportunity arose.
At 22, the 2026 World Cup is the beginning of what could be a long Tunisia international career. His PSG pedigree, European experience, and technical quality give him a ceiling that most Tunisian attacking midfielders of his generation cannot match. A prominent World Cup showing could transform his club career trajectory as well.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| France U18 | Caps | 0 | 2021 |
| Spain U18/U19 | Caps | 0 | 2022–23 |
| Tunisia | 7 | 1 | WC Qualifying 2026; AFCON 2025; 2026 FIFA World Cup |
Honours and Trophies
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 2 | 2021–22, 2022–23 (PSG) |
| Coupe de France | 1 | 2020–21 (PSG) |
| Trophée des Champions | 1 | 2022–23 (PSG) |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Ismaël Gharbi is a technical right-footed attacking midfielder whose PSG academy education is visible in his quick combination play, his movement in tight spaces, and his ability to receive and release the ball quickly under pressure. His profile is that of a creative, attacking left winger who can also operate through the centre.
His strongest attributes — derived from his FotMob profile — are his technical quality and his attacking threat, combined with a work rate that reflects his Paris academy background. His physical size (5 ft 8 in, 60 kg) means he competes on technical quality rather than physical presence, requiring open spaces and quick transitions to be most effective.
Three nations, one choice
Gharbi's eligibility for France, Spain, and Tunisia — representing all three at youth level — makes him one of the most unique multi-eligible players in the 2026 World Cup. His choice of Tunisia was personal and deliberate, and his integration into the Eagles of Carthage has been rapid. The World Cup gives him the platform to show that the choice was both the right one and the beginning of a defining international career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Ismaël Gharbi's story — Paris-born, PSG-educated, Spain youth international, Tunisia senior international — is one of the most unusual and compelling in the 2026 World Cup. His technical formation at one of Europe's finest academies, combined with his deliberate choice to represent Tunisia, gives him a unique place in this tournament.
At 22, with a PSG trophy cabinet, Bundesliga experience, and Tunisia's World Cup squad place, his career is at an inflection point. A prominent showing in the tournament could establish him as one of Tunisia's most important attacking players for years to come — and potentially trigger the major European club move that his talent and background deserve.
