The 2026 FIFA World Cup has witnessed its first managerial casualty just one match into the group stage. Tunisia has officially parted ways with head coach Sabri Lamouchi following a devastating defeat in their tournament opener against Sweden.
The Tunisian Football Federation (FTF) announced on Monday that they had reached an agreement to terminate the 54-year-old’s contract immediately after the Carthage Eagles were dismantled 5-1 in their Group F curtain-raiser. “An official agreement has been finalized to dismiss manager Sabri Lamouchi,” the federation announced via an Instagram statement. “Arrangements are currently being made to install Mondher Kebaier as caretaker coach.”
Lamouchi’s tenure lasts just under six months, having only taken the reins in January. However, scrutiny had been mounting well before arriving in North America, exacerbated by a dismal pre-tournament friendly phase that featured a heavy 5-0 loss to Belgium in Brussels. The French tactician – who famously failed to guide Côte d’Ivoire past the group stage at the 2014 World Cup – leaves his second African national team post prematurely.
Despite the chaos, Tunisia still has two Group F fixtures left to salvage their tournament under Kebaier. They return to the same stadium in Guadalupe this Saturday to face Japan before traveling to Kansas City for their final group match against the Netherlands.
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