Tunisia sack Sabri Lamouchi after 5-1 World Cup loss

Tunisia have dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi on June 15, 2026, a day after their 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F match at the World Cup in Monterrey, Mexico. The loss was Tunisia’s first game of the tournament and prompted an immediate change on the bench.

Lamouchi, 54, had been appointed in January on a two-and-a-half-year contract. His spell ended after one World Cup match, having come under pressure following a 5-0 warm-up defeat to Belgium before the tournament.

Tunisian officials named Mondher Kebaier as interim coach. Kebaier previously led the national team from 2019 to 2022 and has been working as technical director. He will take charge for Tunisia’s second group match against Japan, also in Monterrey.

What Tunisia said after the Sweden defeat

Speaking before his departure, Lamouchi said Tunisia had been punished for a string of costly mistakes. He described the result as painful and said the team had made too many errors in their tournament opener.

Tunisia still have two group fixtures left, against Japan and the Netherlands. The Netherlands drew 2-2 in their opening match in Dallas on Sunday, leaving the Group F picture open going into the next round of games.

Kebaier’s track record and what comes next

Kebaier, 56, guided Tunisia to the final of the Arab Cup in 2021, where they lost to Algeria, and oversaw a quarterfinal exit at the Africa Cup of Nations the following year. He now faces the task of stabilising Tunisia’s campaign and restoring confidence after a heavy opening defeat.

Tunisia’s next match against Japan will be their first under Kebaier, with the team needing points to stay in contention for progression from the group.