Tunisia sack Sabri Lamouchi after 5-1 Sweden thrashing in World Cup opener

Tunisia have parted ways with head coach Sabri Lamouchi just one match into their World Cup campaign, following a devastating 5-1 defeat by Sweden in their Group F opener. The Tunisian Football Federation confirmed the decision on Monday, announcing that Mondher Kebaier would take charge on an interim basis for the remainder of the group stage.

What happened

The writing was on the wall from the opening whistle in Mexico, where Sweden ran riot against a disjointed Tunisian side. The heavy loss left the Carthage Eagles rooted to the bottom of Group F, with matches against Japan and the Netherlands still to come. Lamouchi, who took over in 2022, had hoped to steer the team past the group stage for the first time since 2018, but the scale of the defeat forced the federation's hand.

Why it matters

Sacking a coach mid-tournament is a drastic step, especially at a World Cup where squad chemistry and tactical continuity are paramount. Tunisia now face a huge challenge to recover morale and adapt to a new system on the fly. The group remains wide open — Japan and the Netherlands both have ambitions of advancing — but without a clear plan, Tunisia risk an early exit. The decision also puts pressure on the federation, which will be scrutinized for its handling of the situation.

What's next

Kebaier, a former Tunisian international and long-time assistant, faces a baptism of fire. His first task: rally a shell-shocked squad ahead of a must-win clash against Japan. A defeat there would likely end any hope of progression, while a victory could set up a thrilling finale against the Netherlands. For Tunisia, the World Cup dream is not over, but the margin for error is now razor-thin. The appointment of an interim boss suggests the federation is buying time, but the real test will come on the pitch.