Key Takeaways:
- The Tunisian Football Federation reportedly dismissed Sabri Lamouchi following a 5-1 loss to Sweden in their World Cup opener
- Lamouchi’s tenure lasted only five matches, beginning with a win over Haiti but culminating in four games without a victory
- Tunisia will face Japan in their next World Cup fixture on Saturday, June 20th
Managerial Change After Disappointing Results
The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) has reportedly parted ways with manager Sabri Lamouchi after the national team’s emphatic 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening World Cup encounter. Multiple sources, including The Guardian and New York Times journalist Romain Molina, reported that the FTF held an emergency meeting in the aftermath of the match, which ended with Lamouchi’s dismissal from his post.
This defeat compounds a sequence of poor results for the Eagles of Carthage, who also suffered a 5-0 defeat to Belgium in their last friendly before the tournament began. The heavy loss to Sweden has intensified scrutiny on team management and prompted swift action from the FTF.
π¨πΉπ³ ππππππππ | After the 5-1 loss to Sweden, Sabri Lamouchi has been SACKED by Tunisia, reports @Romain_Molina! πβ
It's the FIRST managerial sacking of the 2026 World Cup. π³ pic.twitter.com/uBQo77jHqI
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 15, 2026
Potential Successors and Upcoming Fixtures
Speculation has quickly circulated regarding Lamouchi’s possible replacement. Among the names mentioned are Wahbi Khazri, a former Sunderland winger, and Mondher Kebaier, who previously guided Tunisia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The FTF has yet to confirm any appointment as of now.
Tunisia’s World Cup campaign continues on Saturday, June 20th, with a crucial match against Japan. The fixture follows the recent managerial shake-up, adding further intrigue to the national team’s immediate future.
Lamouchi’s Brief Spell in Charge
Sabri Lamouchi, aged 54, was given the managerial role after Sami Trabelsi’s sacking which followed Tunisia’s round-of-16 exit from the Africa Cup of Nations. Lamouchi oversaw just five matches, launching his stint with a 1-0 victory over Haiti. However, after that initial success, his squad managed only a single goal, drawing 0-0 with Canada, before suffering consecutive defeats at the hands of Austria (1-0), Belgium (5-0), and Sweden (5-1).
Future Tournaments and World Football Calendar
Looking ahead, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place between June 11th and July 19th, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This expanded tournament will feature 48 participating nations and will be staged across 16 state-of-the-art venues.
