World Cup 2026: Morocco’s Fouzi Lekjaa ‘helped secure Renard’s Tunisia appointment’

Moroccan football federation president Fouzi Lekjaa reportedly played a crucial part in persuading French coach Hervé Renard to take charge of Tunisia during the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the departure of Sabri Lamouchi.

Tunisia moved swiftly to find a replacement after Lamouchi left his position in the aftermath of the Carthage Eagles’ heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening match of the tournament on 15 June.

The result triggered an urgent search for a new coach as the North African side sought to revive their World Cup campaign.

According to investigative journalist Romain Molina, speaking in an interview with DZfoot, former Tunisia coach Mondher Kebaier was initially considered by the Tunisian Football Federation (FTF).

Kebaier was no stranger to the role, having managed the national team between 2019 and 2022. During that spell, he guided Tunisia to the quarter-finals of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

However, his return reportedly encountered strong resistance from within the squad. Reports suggest several players were firmly opposed to the appointment and even threatened to boycott training if the move went ahead.

Faced with that opposition, Tunisian football authorities turned their attention to Renard, who had been without a coaching role since leaving Saudi Arabia two months before the World Cup.

Securing the services of the experienced Frenchman was not straightforward. Molina claims that Fouzi Lekjaa intervened to help convince Renard to accept what was effectively a short-term rescue mission in the middle of the tournament.

The report further states that discussions eventually reached the highest levels of the Tunisian state before the appointment was finalised.

Lekjaa’s involvement is said to have been aided by his longstanding relationship with Renard. The two worked closely together when the French coach led the Moroccan national team between 2016 and 2019, a period that strengthened their professional ties.

Despite the efforts made to bring Renard to Tunisia, the appointment has so far failed to produce the desired turnaround.

Renard’s first match in charge ended in a heavy 4-0 defeat against Japan, a result that confirmed Tunisia’s elimination from the World Cup at the group stage.

The 57-year-old Frenchman now faces the task of restoring some pride before Tunisia conclude their campaign against the Netherlands in their final group match next Thursday.

With elimination already confirmed, Tunisia’s hopes of extending their stay at the tournament have disappeared, leaving Renard with one final opportunity to deliver a positive performance before the campaign comes to an end.