Tunisia had no choice but to part ways with coach Sabri Lamouchi after a staggering 5‑1 loss to Sweden in their opening World‑Cup 2026 fixture. The Frenchman, hired in January, left the squad in a state of crisis – and his departure is the first World Cup dismissal after only one match.
The match, which took place at the Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, saw the Maghreb side concede five early goals. The defeat dragged Tunisia down to the bottom of its Group F and brought instant pressure on the federation.
Sources said Lamouchi’s contract was terminated “by mutual agreement” on Monday, though reports from the day suggested he had been dismissed immediately after the match. The final decision confirmed the federation’s intent to rebuild.
Former Morocco and Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard was named as caretaker until the end of the tournament. Renard, who has guided several national teams to success, is expected to steady the team before the clash with the Netherlands and Japan.
Lamouchi’s short stint saw him record just one win, against Haiti, and suffered defeats in friendly warm‑ups to Austria (1‑0) and Belgium (5‑0). With a record of poor form, the federation chose to move on.
The move marks a historic first – no other World Cup coach has been sacked after a single match. The drama underscores the high stakes of the tournament and the pressure national squads face from committees and fans alike.
