World Cup 2026: Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi facing sack after 5-1 loss to Sweden

Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi is reportedly facing an uncertain future after the Carthage Eagles suffered a crushing 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to reports emerging from Tunisia, members of the Tunisian Football Federation’s federal office have requested an emergency meeting to discuss the team’s disastrous start to the tournament, with Lamouchi’s position now said to be under serious threat.

The North African side endured a nightmare evening as Sweden dominated proceedings and exposed significant defensive weaknesses, inflicting one of Tunisia’s heaviest defeats in World Cup history.

Sweden raced into an early lead and never looked back, with Tunisia struggling to cope with the Scandinavian side’s attacking intensity and organization.

The defeat has sparked widespread criticism among supporters and football observers, particularly given the expectations surrounding Tunisia’s campaign.

Lamouchi had expressed confidence before the tournament opener, insisting his team was prepared physically, technically and mentally for the challenge ahead.

Following the defeat, the former Ivory Coast coach admitted that costly mistakes had played a major role in the result and stressed the need for immediate improvement if Tunisia are to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

However, the scale of the loss appears to have intensified concerns within the federation, leading to calls for urgent discussions over the direction of the national team.

With Tunisia now bottom of Group F and facing a difficult path to the knockout stages, officials are reportedly evaluating whether a managerial change is necessary before the team’s next fixture.

The timing of the reported crisis could hardly be worse for Tunisia, who must now quickly regroup ahead of a crucial Group F encounter against Japan.

Anything less than a positive result would leave the Eagles of Carthage on the brink of elimination before their final group-stage match against the Netherlands.

For Lamouchi, the coming days could prove decisive. While no official decision has yet been announced by the Tunisian Football Federation, the emergency meeting request has intensified speculation that the coach may pay the price for Tunisia’s disastrous World Cup start.

As preparations begin for the showdown with Japan, attention will not only be on the players’ response to the heavy defeat but also on whether Lamouchi remains in charge long enough to lead them into their second match of the tournament.