Tunisia dismiss coach after 5‑1 shock loss to Sweden

Tue Jun 16 2026 17:54:55 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Tunisia fired coach Sabri Lamouchi after a single World Cup defeat, a historic first, and named former Morocco manager Herve Renard to lead the team through 2026.

Tunisia’s football federation terminated the contract of Sabri Lamouchi after a catastrophic 5‑1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F match, marking the first instance of a World Cup manager being sacked following just one game. Lamouchi, appointed in January, had managed the side for five matches, winning only once. Sports analyst Herve Renard will take interim charge until the end of the tournament. The decision follows a broader trend of coach changes in previous World Cups, though the speed and timing remain unprecedented. Kwicied: Tunisia World's Cup

Tunisia dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi after a 5‑1 defeat to Sweden in the opening Group F match at the 2026 World Cup.

According to the Tunisian Football Association, Lamouchi’s contract was terminated by mutual agreement. He had been appointed earlier in January and had overseen six games prior to the tournament, winning only once.

"This loss was painful," Lamouchi said after the match. "Starting the competition with such a heavy defeat is indeed difficult. We made too many mistakes and we are hurting ourselves."

The federation announced that former Morocco and Saudi Arabia manager Herve Renard would take temporary charge until the end of the tournament. Renard’s appointment follows a history of managerial changes in previous World Cups, but the timing of this sack—after only one game—is unprecedented.

Tunisia now faces Japan and the Netherlands in their remaining Group F fixtures. The decision marks a significant disruption in the coaching structure ahead of the country’s first World Cup appearance since 2010.