World Cup 2026: Tunisia sack coach Sabri Lamouchi after humiliating defeat to Sweden

The Tunisian Football Federation have reportedly parted ways with head coach Sabri Lamouchi following the team’s crushing defeat to Sweden in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His sacking comes after the Carthage Eagles suffered a humiliating 5-1 loss to Sweden, a result that has left their World Cup campaign in serious jeopardy.

Lamouchi’s dismissal marks a dramatic turn of events for Tunisia, who entered the tournament hoping to challenge for a place in the knockout rounds but instead endured one of the heaviest defeats in the nation’s World Cup history.

The match against Sweden quickly exposed Tunisia’s defensive vulnerabilities as the Scandinavian side dominated proceedings and punished a series of costly errors.

Despite hopes of making a positive start to their Group F campaign, Tunisia found themselves overwhelmed by a Swedish team that displayed superior organisation, attacking quality and clinical finishing.

The 5-1 scoreline not only dealt a significant blow to Tunisia’s qualification hopes but also intensified scrutiny on Lamouchi, whose tactical decisions and team selections came under immediate question following the defeat.

With the World Cup offering little time for recovery, federation officials reportedly concluded that a managerial change was necessary in an attempt to revive the team’s fortunes before their remaining group-stage matches.

Lamouchi’s departure brings an abrupt end to his tenure with the national team.

The former Ivory Coast and Nottingham Forest coach had been tasked with guiding Tunisia through a competitive World Cup group, but the disappointing opening performance ultimately proved decisive.

Expectations were high ahead of the tournament, particularly after Tunisia’s encouraging qualification campaign, but the team’s inability to compete against Sweden forced the federation into immediate action.

The decision reflects the urgency of the situation, with Tunisia still scheduled to face Japan and Netherlands in their remaining Group F fixtures.

Although Tunisia remain mathematically capable of progressing, they now face a daunting challenge.

The Carthage Eagles will likely need positive results against both Japan and the Netherlands to have any realistic chance of advancing to the knockout stages.

Beyond the points lost, the heavy defeat has also severely damaged Tunisia’s goal difference, a factor that could prove crucial if qualification is decided by fine margins.

The federation is expected to appoint an interim coach in the coming days as preparations begin for the crucial clash against Japan.

Whoever takes charge will inherit a team low on confidence but still possessing enough talent and experience to mount a response.

Tunisia’s players now face the difficult task of regrouping quickly and proving that the defeat to Sweden was merely a setback rather than a reflection of their true capabilities.

For Lamouchi, meanwhile, the World Cup has come to an abrupt and painful end. Just one game into the tournament, the Frenchman has become the first managerial casualty of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Tunisia hoping that a change in leadership can spark a dramatic turnaround in their campaign.