A 5-1 opening loss to Sweden was always going to have consequences, and Tunisia did not wait long to act. The Tunisian Football Federation confirmed on Monday that they have parted ways with head coach Sabri Lamouchi following the Carthage Eagles' heavy Group F defeat, making him the first coach dismissed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The federation announced the news via Instagram, stating that an agreement had been officially reached to end Lamouchi's tenure. Mondher Kebaier is set to step in as interim coach while the federation maps out next steps.
Lamouchi, 54, had only been appointed in January, and pressure had been building well before a ball was kicked in the tournament. Tunisia's warm-up campaign raised red flags early, including a 5-0 friendly loss to Belgium in Brussels. The French coach previously led Côte d'Ivoire at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil but could not take the Elephants past the group stage there either.
Tunisia still have two matches left in Group F. They face Japan on Saturday at the same Guadalupe stadium where things fell apart against Sweden, then close out the group stage against the Netherlands in Kansas City. Whether a change in the dugout can change their fortunes, now that is the real question.
Originally published by NotJustOk.