World Cup 2026: Tunisia sack Sabri Lamouchi after just one game at tournament

Tunisia dismissed coach Sabri Lamouchi after the defeat in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Sweden inflicted a heavy 5-1 defeat on Tunisia in the Group F match played at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico on Sunday.

Reports following the loss suggested Lamouchi was sacked immediately, but sources told BBC Sport the 54-year-old trained on Monday.

However, the Tunisian Football Federation confirmed that the French football player’s contract was terminated by “mutual agreement”.

In the statement made by the Tunisian Football Federation, it was said: “Plans are continuing to appoint Mondher Kebaier as the national team coach.”

Lamouchi’s departure means he becomes the first coach in World Cup history to be sacked after just one match.

The former Nottingham Forest boss was appointed in January to replace Sami Trabelsi, who resigned following the Africa Cup of Nations last 16 defeat against Mali.

Speaking after the defeat against Sweden, Lamouchi said the defeat was “painful”.

“It’s really difficult to start the competition with such a bad loss,” Lamouchi said.

“We made too many mistakes, this is not something we can do. We are shooting ourselves in the foot, hurting ourselves.”

The 54-year-old has won just one of his five matches as Tunisia coach; He achieved a 1-0 victory against Haiti in his first match.

They lost 1-0 to Austria in their two warm-up matches for the World Cup earlier this month, followed by a 5-0 defeat to Belgium.

Tunisia will face Japan and the Netherlands in their remaining matches in Group F.