Tunisia has dismissed its head coach Sabri Lamouchi following a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The decision, announced on June 16, 2026, came just one game into the tournament, with the Tunisian Football Federation confirming that an agreement had been reached to terminate his contract.
Lamouchi, who was appointed in January 2026, managed only five matches in charge, winning just once in a 1-0 friendly victory over Haiti.
His tenure ends amid mounting pressure following Tunisia’s poor start to the World Cup Campaign. According to the Federation (FTF), French coach Hervé Renard is expected to take over as Tunisia prepare for its next Group F fixtures against Japan and the Netherlands.
The 5-1 loss to Sweden, played in Monterrey, Mexico, exposed defensive frailties and heightened scrutiny on the team’s preparation for the tournament. Reports had already suggested internal dissatisfaction following a 5-0 defeat to Belgium in a pre-tournament friendly.
Lamouchi’s dismissal places him among a small number of coaches historically relieved of their duties during a World Cup, underscoring the urgency and volatility surrounding performance expectations at the highest level of international football.
