The Tunisian Football Federation fired head coach Sabri Lamouchi and appointed Frenchman Hervé Renard on Monday, June 15, 2026 [2].
The decision comes at a critical juncture in the tournament, as Tunisia must now attempt to recover from a devastating start to their campaign. Replacing a manager mid-World Cup is a rare and drastic move that underscores the federation's desperation to salvage their standing in Group F.
The dismissal followed a 5-1 defeat against Sweden [1] in Tunisia's opening match of the tournament. The loss, which occurred on June 15, 2026, left the team struggling for form and stability on the global stage [2].
Federation officials said the change via national television in Tunisia. The move seeks to instill immediate discipline and tactical shifts as the team prepares for its remaining group stage fixtures.
Hervé Renard takes over the squad with a reputation for managing African national teams. He replaces Lamouchi, who was fired after just one game in the tournament [2]. The federation acted quickly to ensure Renard could integrate with the players before the next match.
Tunisia's campaign began in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, where the 2026 World Cup is being hosted. The 5-1 scoreline against Sweden [1] remains one of the most significant defeats for the national team in recent history.
“Tunisia fired head coach Sabri Lamouchi and appointed Frenchman Hervé Renard.”
The appointment of Hervé Renard is a strategic attempt to utilize a coach with proven success in the region to stabilize a demoralized squad. By firing Lamouchi after a single match, the Tunisian Football Federation has signaled that the 5-1 loss was an unacceptable failure, prioritizing immediate leadership change over continuity in hopes of advancing past the group stage.
