2026 World Cup: Tunisia Sack Sabri Lamouchi After Crushing Opening Defeat to Sweden

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Tunisia have parted ways with head coach Sabri Lamouchi following the team’s disastrous start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group Stage match.

The Tunisian Football Federation confirmed Lamouchi’s dismissal in an official statement posted on its Instagram page, citing an agreement between both parties to end his tenure with immediate effect.

“An agreement has been officially reached to dismiss coach Sabri Lamouchi,” the statement read.

The federation also announced that former Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier is expected to take charge of the national team on an interim basis as preparations begin for the country’s remaining group-stage fixtures.

Tunisia now face a daunting challenge to keep their World Cup hopes alive, with crucial matches against Japan on Saturday and the Netherlands in their final group encounter. The North Africans will likely need positive results from both games to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout rounds.

Lamouchi’s spell in charge proved to be one of the shortest in recent Tunisian football history. Appointed in January 2026, the former midfielder oversaw just five matches, recording only one victory—a narrow 1-0 win over Haiti in a pre-tournament fixture.

The 54-year-old was managing at his second FIFA World Cup, having previously led the Ivory Coast national team at the 2014 tournament in Brazil. On that occasion, the Elephants failed to advance beyond the group stage.

Before taking over Tunisia, Lamouchi managed several clubs across Europe and the Middle East, including English side Nottingham Forest.

Tunisia’s decision makes Lamouchi the first managerial casualty of the 2026 World Cup, underscoring the pressure national teams face after poor performances on football’s biggest stage. All eyes will now be on Kebaier as he attempts to revive Tunisia’s campaign and restore confidence within the squad ahead of their must-win clash against Japan.