June 16, (THEWILL) — Tunisia have become the first nation to part ways with their head coach at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup following a disastrous start to their campaign.
The Tunisian Football Federation on Monday confirmed the dismissal of head coach Sabri Lamouchi after the Eagles of Carthage suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F fixture.
The result left Tunisia rooted at the bottom of the group standings and cast serious doubt on their chances of progressing to the knockout stages.
Sweden dominated proceedings throughout the encounter, controlling possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Tunisia struggled to contain the European side’s attacking threats and were punished repeatedly as they conceded five goals in one of their most difficult World Cup outings.
The heavy defeat has been widely regarded as one of Tunisia’s worst performances on football’s biggest stage and a significant setback for a team that had hoped to challenge for a place in the next round.
In a statement announcing the decision, the Tunisian Football Federation thanked Lamouchi and his coaching staff for their efforts but said a change in leadership was necessary following the disappointing result.
“The federation appreciates the commitment and work of the technical crew. However, after evaluating recent performances, it has been decided that a new direction is required for the national team,” the statement read.
Lamouchi, a former Tunisia international, had overseen the team’s successful qualification campaign and arrived at the tournament with expectations of guiding the North Africans to a competitive showing against some of the world’s top sides.
His departure makes him the first managerial casualty of the 2026 World Cup, highlighting the intense pressure coaches face during major international tournaments.
Supporters reacted with frustration following the defeat, with many demanding swift action to revive the team’s fortunes ahead of their remaining group matches.
Tunisia are scheduled to face Japan next in a crucial Group F encounter, with positive results now essential if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the round of 16 alive.
The federation is expected to name an interim coach in the coming days as it seeks to restore confidence within the squad and salvage the country’s World Cup campaign
Olumide Atiba
