Tunisia have dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi following a 5-1 defeat by Sweden in their opening match of the 2026 World Cup, and have appointed French coach Hervé Renard.
The Tunisian football federation announced the decision via social media and informed the state news agency TAP. Sweden recorded a commanding 5-1 victory over Tunisia in the World Cup 2026 group stage opener.
Lamouchi, aged 54, had been appointed in January.
The heavy defeat on Sunday has left Tunisia facing a difficult route to reach the last 32. Their remaining group fixtures are against Japan on Saturday and the Netherlands on 25 June.
Renard is an experienced coach, having won the Africa Cup of Nations with Zambia and the Ivory Coast. He previously led Morocco at the 2018 World Cup and Saudi Arabia at the 2022 tournament, where his side registered a notable victory over eventual champions Argentina. He has also managed the French women’s national team, with his most recent role being another spell in charge of Saudi Arabia’s men’s team.
This is not the first occasion Tunisia have made a mid-tournament coaching change at a World Cup. In 1998, Henryk Kasperczak was removed following defeats to England and Colombia, before the final group match against Romania. Spain also acted during the 2018 World Cup, parting ways with Julen Lopetegui shortly before their opening match against Portugal after his future appointment at Real Madrid was confirmed.
Tunisia are appearing at the World Cup for the seventh time and have never progressed beyond the group stage. Lamouchi is a former France international and previously managed Ivory Coast at the 2014 World Cup.
