Mounir Nasraoui reveals epilepsy prevents him from traveling to the 2026 World Cup final to support his son Lamine Yamal and Spain against Argentina.
Mounir Nasraoui has revealed he will not travel to the United States for the World Cup final due to his epilepsy. The father of the Spanish star explained that the long journey and emotional strain pose a serious health risk.
The absence of Lamine Yamal's father from the 2026 World Cup has been a topic of significant curiosity among fans. While the Spanish teenager has been dazzling on the pitch and leading La Roja to the final against Argentina, one of his biggest supporters has been noticeably missing from the stands. Mounir Nasraoui has not attended any of his son's matches during the tournament, and he has now confirmed he will also be absent for the showpiece finale on Sunday.
Speaking on the Spanish television programme Y Ahora Sonsoles, Nasraoui provided a deeply personal explanation for his decision. He revealed that he lives with epilepsy, a neurological condition that requires him to take daily medication and leaves him vulnerable to seizures, especially under stress or intense emotion. "I am an epileptic person," Nasraoui explained. "I have to take a lot of pills every day, and I can have epileptic seizures. I could even be here right now, under the effect of stress or emotion, and have a seizure without realising it".
The father of the Barcelona star stated that the decision was made after carefully considering his wellbeing and the potential impact on those around him. The long-haul flight from Spain to the United States, combined with the logistical demands of following the team across multiple host cities, was deemed too great a risk. "Before travelling, we need to think about me, about him, and about all the people around us, you see? I might cause problems. So it's better to stay at home and watch all of that from here," Nasraoui said.
His admission ends weeks of speculation regarding his absence, which was particularly notable given that Lamine Yamal's mother, brother, and other family members have been present in the stands. Nasraoui has publicly expressed immense pride in his son's achievements throughout the tournament and confirmed he has been following the matches intensely from Spain. Despite the physical distance, his support for the 19-year-old forward remains unwavering as Spain prepares to face the defending champions in New Jersey.
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