The Tunisian coach was sacked after the 5-1 defeat at the World Cup

Tunisia became the first team to sack their coach at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup after a disappointing start to the tournament.

The Tunisian Football Federation has announced the dismissal of coach Sabri Lamouchi following the 5-1 defeat against Sweden in the opening match of Group F on Sunday.

The heavy defeat left Tunisia bottom of the group and raised concerns about the team’s chances of progressing to the knockout stages.

Tunisia struggled throughout the match while Sweden dominated possession and created several scoring chances.

The North African team found it difficult to cope with the attacking strength of their opponents and conceded five goals.

Football analysts described the result as one of Tunisia’s heaviest defeats in World Cup history and a major setback for a team that came into the tournament hoping to make an impact.

In a statement, the Tunisian Football Federation thanked Lamouchi for his service and commitment to the national team, but said change was needed to improve the team’s performance in the remaining matches.

“The federation appreciates the efforts of the coach and his coaching staff. However, following the recent results, the decision has been taken to appoint new management for the team,” he said.

Lamouchi becomes the first coach to lose his job during the ongoing FIFA World Cup, highlighting the pressure national team managers face during major international competitions.

The former Tunisia international had led the team through qualification and was expected to help the Eagles of Carthage challenge stronger opponents at the tournament.

Fans expressed disappointment following the defeat, with many calling for immediate improvements ahead of Tunisia’s next Group F match against Japan.

The federation is expected to announce an interim manager in the coming days as the team looks to relaunch their campaign and restore confidence among fans.

Tunisia still have two group games left and must achieve positive results to keep alive their hopes of progressing to the next round.

This development marks the first managerial casualty of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, underscoring the high expectations and intense scrutiny that accompany soccer’s biggest tournament.