Tunisia Parts Ways with Coach Sabri Lamouchi After Heavy World Cup Loss

Tunisia has made the decision to part ways with coach Sabri Lamouchi after a disheartening 5-1 loss to Sweden in their World Cup opener. This defeat marks a significant low for the team, leading to swift action from the Tunisian Football Federation. With upcoming matches against Japan and the Netherlands, the team is now looking for a new manager to guide them through the tournament. Will they finally break their streak of failing to advance past the group stage? Read on for more details.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 16, 2026, 07:19 IST

Tunisia's Disastrous World Cup Opener

Tunisia has reportedly dismissed their head coach, Sabri Lamouchi, just one match into their FIFA World Cup journey, following a staggering 5-1 defeat against Sweden. This loss has been described as one of the most disappointing results for the North African team on the international stage.

A Crushing 5-1 Loss to Sweden

In the match, Yasin Ayari scored twice, while Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres, and Mattias Svanberg also found the net for Sweden. Tunisia's only goal came from Omar Rekik in the 43rd minute, which did little to alleviate the team's woes.

Quick Action by the Tunisian Football Federation

French journalist Romain Molina reported that the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) acted promptly to terminate Lamouchi's contract after the match. While the poor performance on the field was a significant factor, internal tensions within the team also contributed to the decision. Lamouchi becomes the first coach to be relieved of their duties during this World Cup, concluding his tenure with Tunisia after just five matches.

Future Prospects for Tunisia

As Tunisia prepares for its next matches, which include facing Japan on June 21 in Guadalupe, Mexico, and the Netherlands on June 26 in Kansas City, US, there are discussions about former manager Mondher Kebaier potentially stepping in as interim coach. Additionally, former Sunderland player Wahbi Khazri is also a candidate for the managerial position. It is crucial for Tunisia to resolve their issues quickly, especially given their history of not advancing past the group stage in their previous five World Cup appearances.