Tunisia Sacks Coach Lamouchi After 5-1 World Cup Loss to Sweden

Following Tunisia's opening group game defeat of 5-1 to Sweden at the 2026 World Cup, the North African nation terminated Sabri Lamouchi's role as head coach. This dismissal represents the tournament's inaugural managerial removal during a single match into competition.

Lamouchi, aged 54, had overseen Tunisia's national side since January. During his tenure spanning five matches, the team achieved one win—a 1-0 triumph over Haiti—before suffering the heavy loss to Sweden.

Confirmation of his exit came from the Tunisian Football Federation, though competing reports emerged regarding his successor. According to certain sources, Hervé Renard—the French tactician who previously orchestrated Saudi Arabia's remarkable upset victory against Argentina during the 2022 Qatar World Cup—has been selected to steer Tunisia through 2026's conclusion.

Alternative accounts, however, suggest that Mondher Kebaier, who previously managed Tunisia between 2019 and 2022, will take charge in an interim capacity before their upcoming fixture. Tunisia's subsequent contest involves Japan on June 20 within their World Cup group stage.

Their third encounter against the Netherlands is set for June 25. Reaching the knockout round presents considerable difficulty as the squad pursues advancement in its seventh World Cup participation.

The conflicting statements on Tunisia's new coaching structure stem from developments that followed swiftly after the Sweden match concluded. The Tunisian Football Federation had not yet offered definitive public guidance regarding whether an interim or permanent leadership structure would govern the remainder of the tournament, based on the most recent announcements.