The first coach ever dismissed while the 2026 World Cup is still in progress.
The Result That Triggered It
Tunisia have sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi just one match into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making him the first manager dismissed while the tournament is still underway.
The Carthage Eagles suffered a devastating 5–1 thrashing at the hands of Sweden at Monterrey Stadium. The scoreline was not just a result — it was an indictment. It completely demolished Tunisia’s defensive reputation, which had seen them advance through qualifying with immense stability.
The Official Confirmation
The Tunisian Football Federation issued a statement confirming: “An agreement has been officially reached to dismiss coach Sabri Lamouchi. Plans are underway to appoint Mondher Kebaier as the national team coach on an interim basis to complete the World Cup qualifying matches.”
The Dressing Room Factor
Investigative journalist Romain Molina broke the news, reporting that dressing room tension played a significant role in the federation’s decision alongside the heavy scoreline. The 5–1 defeat was the breaking point — but clearly cracks had been forming beneath the surface for some time.
Warning Signs Were Already There
Lamouchi, 54, was hired in January and was already under fire following a 5–0 loss to Belgium in a pre-tournament friendly on June 6 in Brussels. His short-lived, chaotic tenure ends after just five international matches at the helm.
Lamouchi was brought in on January 14, 2026, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract. His predecessor, Sami Trabelsi, had departed following Tunisia’s round-of-16 exit at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. That is now three coaches in roughly six months — Trabelsi, Lamouchi, and now Kebaier.
Who Is Mondher Kebaier?
Former national team boss Mondher Kebaier has emerged as the primary candidate to take immediate interim charge. Kebaier, who managed Tunisia from 2019 to 2022, is already physically present on-site with the Tunisian delegation in North America due to his current role as the federation’s Technical Director — making him the most practical plug-and-play option to handle the crisis.
However, it has also been reported that former Sunderland and Tunisia star Wahbi Khazri is also in the running to take the hotseat.
What Tunisia Must Now Do
Tunisia are scheduled to face Japan on Saturday night before finishing group play on June 25 against the Netherlands in Kansas City. Two must-win games — both enormous asks.
The mathematical path out of the group stage likely just got significantly harder after dropping the opener by four goals, given that goal difference could become a deciding factor.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Result: Sweden 5–1 Tunisia (Group F, June 14)
- Sacked: Sabri Lamouchi — June 15, 2026 — just hours after the final whistle
- Record: First coach sacked during the 2026 World Cup — and arguably the fastest World Cup dismissal in modern history
- Tenure: 5 games total · Hired Jan 14, 2026 · Had a 2.5-year contract
- Interim: Mondher Kebaier (Tunisia’s Technical Director, already on-site)
- Previous Kebaier stint: Tunisia 2019–2022
- Next game: Japan — Saturday June 20
- Final group game: Netherlands — June 25, Kansas City
The Carthage Eagles are in freefall. Kebaier has days to pick up the pieces.
