Tunisia Reportedly Parts Ways With Coach Sabri Lamouchi After World Cup Opening Defeat

By Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada | June 15, 2026

Tunisia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign has been thrown into uncertainty after widespread reports indicated that head coach Sabri Lamouchi has been relieved of his duties following the team’s crushing 5-1 defeat to Sweden in its opening group-stage match.  

The reported decision comes less than 24 hours after Tunisia suffered one of the heaviest defeats of the tournament so far, a result that sparked criticism from supporters and raised serious concerns about the team’s chances of advancing to the knockout stage.  

According to multiple media reports, officials of the Tunisian Football Federation held emergency discussions after the loss before deciding to move in a different direction. While the federation had not immediately issued a formal public statement, several sources in Tunisia and Europe reported that Lamouchi’s departure had been approved.  

Lamouchi was only appointed Tunisia coach in January 2026 following the departure of former manager Sami Trabelsi. The former France international was brought in with hopes of guiding the Carthage Eagles to their first-ever appearance in the World Cup knockout stages.  

However, his tenure proved short-lived. Tunisia struggled for consistency in the months leading up to the tournament and entered the World Cup under pressure. The team’s opening defeat against Sweden exposed major defensive weaknesses and left the North Africans facing an uphill battle in Group F.  

The 5-1 scoreline was particularly disappointing for a nation that had qualified for the World Cup with one of Africa’s strongest defensive records. Instead, Tunisia committed a series of costly errors that Sweden punished ruthlessly throughout the match.  

Before reports of his dismissal emerged, Lamouchi acknowledged that his side had been undone by mistakes and called for immediate improvement if Tunisia hoped to remain competitive in the tournament.  

Attention is now turning to who will lead the team for the remainder of the World Cup. Local reports have suggested that members of Tunisia’s technical staff could take temporary charge while the federation evaluates longer-term options.  

The coaching uncertainty adds another layer of pressure ahead of Tunisia’s next group-stage fixture, a match that could determine whether the team remains in contention for qualification.

For Tunisian supporters, the hope is that a swift response from football authorities can stabilize the squad and revive a campaign that has suffered a dramatic setback after just one match.