Reports from Monterrey suggest that the Tunisian Football Federation has dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi following a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to circulating tournament reports, Lamouchi’s departure comes just hours after Tunisia were comprehensively beaten by Sweden at the Estadio BBVA in Mexico. The result is described as one of the most decisive opening-match defeats of the tournament so far.
Sweden, reportedly coached by Graham Potter, dominated the encounter with a high-intensity attacking display. Yasin Ayari is said to have scored twice, including an early opener and a late curling finish, while Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres, and Mattias Svanberg also found the net in a commanding performance.
Tunisia’s only goal of the match reportedly came from Omar Rekik, offering a brief moment of consolation in an otherwise difficult outing for the North African side.
The reported scoreline places Sweden at the top of Group F after the first round of matches, while Tunisia are said to face a difficult path to qualification with upcoming fixtures against Japan and the Netherlands.
Coaching Situation:
Lamouchi, who was appointed in January 2026 on a long-term contract running until 2028, is reported to have overseen a short and turbulent spell in charge of the national team. Sources suggest he managed only a handful of matches before the World Cup, with mixed results leading into the tournament.
The former France international, who previously coached clubs including Nottingham Forest and Cardiff City, was brought in to stabilize Tunisia’s setup following a difficult period after the Africa Cup of Nations. His appointment was seen as part of a rebuilding phase aimed at improving the team’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Following the defeat to Sweden, reports indicate that the Tunisian Football Federation held an emergency meeting to review the situation. Lamouchi is said to have been relieved of his duties, becoming the first managerial casualty of the 2026 World Cup, although this has not yet been independently confirmed by official federation channels.
Possible Next Steps:
Unconfirmed reports suggest that discussions are ongoing regarding an interim replacement, with internal staff or former national team figures being considered to take charge for the remaining group-stage matches.
The situation marks a dramatic and uncertain start to Tunisia’s World Cup campaign, with the federation now under pressure to stabilize the team ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures.
