NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The Tunisian men’s soccer team dropped their first match against Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday, and it seemed to reverberate throughout the squad.
Tunisia fired coach Sabri Lamouchi on Monday after the 5-1 loss. Hervé Renard was appointed coach for the remainder of the WC. The Tunisian Football Federation said Renard’s deal will only cover the next matches of the tournament and a longer-term deal will be discussed later.
WATCH THE WC FINAL ON FOX ONE
Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi looks on during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, on June 14, 2026. (Moises Castillo/AP Photo)
Tunisia have Japan and the Netherlands back on the schedule. However, the loss put Tunisia in a rather difficult situation as Japan and the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw gave each team a point. Japan would qualify for the knockout stage if the World Cup ended today.
Renard has experience as a WC coach. He was in charge of Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022. Saudi Arabia shocked the world in Qatar when the team beat Argentina in a group stage match. He also coached the French women’s team at the 2023 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia then head coach Herve Renard reacts during the World Cup Group C soccer match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia in Lusail, Qatar on November 22, 2022. (Natacha Pisarenko/AP)
FOX ONE’S NEW WORLD CUP WATCHING EXPERIENCE
Lamouchi had only coached Tunisia since January.
It is not the first time that Tunisia has made a coaching change during the tournament.
In 1998, Tunisia sacked Henryk Kasperczak after losing to England and Colombia in the group stage. The team was out of contention when it faced Romania.
Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi stands ahead of the FIFA World Cup Group F soccer match between Sweden and Tunisia in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, on June 14, 2026. (Moises Castillo/AP Photo)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pakinomist APP
Spain was successful in a fantastic coaching turnaround midway through the World Cup. In 2018, Spain sacked Julen Lopetegui two days before their first match against Portugal. Spain progressed to the knockout stage but lost to Russia on penalties.
