Maha Christopher
With only one match played at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Tunisia have become the first nation to sack their head coach after parting ways with Sabri Lamouchi following a heavy defeat to Sweden.
The Tunisian Football Federation confirmed on Monday that Lamouchi had been relieved of his duties after the Carthage Eagles suffered a 5-1 loss in their Group F opener.
“An agreement has officially been reached to dismiss coach Sabri Lamouchi,” the federation said in a statement posted on Instagram.
The federation also confirmed that plans are underway to appoint Mondher Kebaier as interim head coach ahead of Tunisia’s remaining group stage fixtures.
Lamouchi, 54, was appointed in January but came under mounting pressure following a string of poor results leading up to the tournament. Tunisia’s preparations were overshadowed by a 5-0 defeat to Belgium in a pre World Cup friendly.
The French coach, who previously led Côte d’Ivoire at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, departs after just a few months in charge and becomes the first manager to lose his job during the 2026 tournament.
Tunisia now face an uphill task to keep their World Cup hopes alive. The North Africans will take on Japan on Saturday before concluding their Group F campaign against the Netherlands in Kansas City.
