Tunisia sack Lamouchi just one game into World Cup

· BBC Sport
Lamouchi won just one of his five matches in charge of TunisiaGetty Images

ByCelestine Karoney
BBC Sport Africa in Atlanta
Published

Tunisia have sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi following the side's defeat in their opening World Cup 2026 fixture.

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

Reports after that loss suggested Lamouchi had been immediately sacked but sources told BBC Sport that the 54-year-old took training on Monday.

However, the Tunisian Football Association has now confirmed that the Frenchman's contract has been terminated by "mutual agreement".

"Plans are under way ‌to appoint ‌Mondher Kebaier as the national team ‌coach," the Tunisian FA said in a statement.

Lamouchi's departure means he is the first manager in World Cup history to be sacked after just one game.

The former Nottingham Forest boss was only appointed in January replacing Sami Trabelsi, who left his role following a last-16 defeat to Mali at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking after the defeat by Sweden, Lamouchi said the loss was "painful".

"Starting the competition with this bad of a loss is indeed difficult," Lamouchi said.

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

The 54-year-old won just one of his five games as Tunisia head coach - a 1-0 victory over Haiti in his first game in charge.

In their two warm-up games for the World Cup earlier this month, they lost 1-0 to Austria before suffering a 5-0 thrashing by Belgium.

Tunisia face Japan and Netherlands in their remaining Group F fixtures.

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