Tunisia Become First Team to Change Coaches Twice During World Cup Campaigns

Tunisia have made unwanted history at the FIFA World Cup, becoming the first nation to change managers mid-tournament on two separate occasions.

The North African side dismissed head coach Sabri Lamouchi after their 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening game of the 2026 World Cup. Former Saudi Arabia boss Hervé Renard has been appointed on a short-term deal to lead the team for the remainder of the tournament.

Lamouchi, who only took charge in January after Tunisia’s Africa Cup of Nations exit, lasted just five matches in charge, winning only once. His tenure ended abruptly after the heavy loss to Sweden, continuing a pattern of instability that has plagued Tunisia’s World Cup history.

This marks the second time Tunisia have sacked a coach during a World Cup campaign.

In 1998, Henryk Kasperczak was dismissed after consecutive defeats in the group stage. Tunisia now stand alone in this unwanted category, joining Scotland (1954), Saudi Arabia (1998), and South Korea (1998) as nations who have made managerial changes mid-competition.

Rumors had circulated about potential replacements, including Wahbi Khazri and Mondher Kebaier, but the Tunisian Football Federation moved quickly to secure Renard, a coach with extensive international experience.