Tunisia has sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi, the federation announced Monday, days after the national team was routed 5-1 by Sweden in a World Cup group-stage match. The heavy defeat effectively ended Tunisia's chances of advancing, and the federation moved quickly to part ways with the 52-year-old French-born coach.
The defeat that sealed his fate
Sweden scored five goals in a dominant performance, leaving Tunisia's defense in disarray. The 5-1 scoreline was Tunisia's worst World Cup loss in decades, and the team struggled to create meaningful chances after an early goal that briefly raised hopes. Lamouchi had been in charge for less than two years, but the federation signaled that the result was unacceptable for a squad that had shown promise in qualifying.
The match highlighted deep defensive issues. Sweden exploited gaps on the flanks and capitalized on set pieces, with three of their goals coming from corner kicks. Tunisia's lone goal came from a penalty in the 38th minute, but they couldn't build on the momentum. By the 70th minute, Sweden had already put the game out of reach.
Lamouchi's brief tenure
Lamouchi took over as head coach in 2022, tasked with rebuilding the team after a disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Under his guidance, Tunisia qualified for the World Cup with a solid defensive record during qualifying matches. But once at the tournament, the team's form collapsed. A narrow loss to Belgium in the opening match was followed by the thrashing by Sweden, leaving the team with zero points and a goal difference of minus-five.
The federation did not provide details on why Lamouchi was dismissed beyond the result. No official statement quoted any player or staff. Sources close to the team said the decision came after an emergency board meeting held Sunday night.
What happens next for Tunisia
With one group match still to play, the federation faces a choice: appoint an interim coach for the final game or let assistant coaches handle the squad. That last match, against Mexico, is now a dead rubber for Tunisia but could still affect other teams' qualification scenarios. The more pressing question is who will lead the team into the next Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which begin in the fall.
The federation is expected to open a search for a permanent replacement. Candidates with experience in African football and familiarity with Tunisian players are likely to be considered. No shortlist has been announced. For now, the team must regroup and finish the tournament with some dignity.
