Tunisia has dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi, the country's football federation confirmed, days after the team suffered a historic 5-1 defeat to Sweden in the World Cup. The loss, the worst in Tunisia's World Cup history, left the Carthage Eagles bottom of their group with zero points and a goal difference of minus five. Lamouchi's firing is the latest sign of instability in a program that has now cycled through three coaches in less than two years.
The 5-1 defeat that sealed his fate
Sweden's demolition of Tunisia on Tuesday was not just a heavy loss — it was a record one. No Tunisian side had ever conceded five goals in a single World Cup match. The result effectively ended any realistic hope of advancing to the knockout stage, and the federation acted swiftly. Lamouchi, who took over in early 2023, leaves with a record of four wins, three draws and four losses in 11 matches. His tenure lasted just over a year.
The defeat exposed deep defensive frailties. Sweden scored three times in the first half, and Tunisia's only response came from a late penalty. Players looked disjointed, and the team never recovered after going down 2-0 inside 20 minutes. Lamouchi's tactical decisions were questioned by local media, but the federation's statement did not elaborate on specific reasons for the dismissal.
Instability ahead of the next World Cup
This coaching change raises questions about Tunisia's preparation for future World Cups. The team has now had three different managers since the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where they reached the round of 16 under Jalel Kadri. Kadri resigned in early 2023, and his successor, Nabil Maâloul, lasted only a few months before Lamouchi was brought in. Each change has meant a reset of tactics, staff and player relationships.
For a squad that relies heavily on cohesion — many players come from the domestic league or smaller European clubs — constant turnover can be damaging. Morale is fragile after such a heavy defeat, and the next coach will have to rebuild quickly. The federation has not named an interim or permanent replacement, but local reports suggest a shortlist is being drawn up.
The next competitive matches for Tunisia are not until the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later this year. That gives the federation some time, but not much. A new coach will need to assess the squad, install a system and restore confidence before those games. If the federation rushes the appointment, the same cycle of instability could repeat.
For now, Tunisia's World Cup campaign is over. The team still has one group match left, but it's a dead rubber. The real work — finding a coach who can steady the ship — starts now.
