Just a few months ago, Sabri Lamouchi was still considered the new hope of Tunisian football. The former French international took on the task of leading the national team in January with the goal of guiding the North African representatives beyond the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.
But things ended much faster than expected. The 1-5 defeat against Sweden in the second match of Group F not only put Tunisia at risk of early elimination but also plunged the team into its most serious crisis since the start of the tournament. Just hours after the match, the Tunisian Football Federation decided to dismiss Lamouchi, ending his tenure which lasted a mere five months.
However, the result on the field was only the tip of the iceberg. According to numerous sources from Africa and Europe, the atmosphere within Tunisia had been tense even before the match against Sweden. After the heavy defeat, simmering conflicts erupted into a full-blown crisis.
Numerous reports indicate that as many as eight key players threatened to leave the national team mid-World Cup if the federation appointed a domestic coach to replace Lamouchi. This group of players reportedly feared that local coaches would struggle to maintain professional independence and would be easily influenced by Tunisian football officials.
Sabri Lamouchi became the first coach to lose his job at the 2026 World Cup following the 1-5 defeat to Sweden and the internal crisis that erupted within the Tunisian national team.
The risk of a dressing room breakdown forced the league to take urgent action. While Lamouchi remained in his position, negotiations with Herve Renard were underway. In fact, many sources claimed that an agreement with the French strategist was finalized before the official dismissal was announced.
Renard's arrival quickly quelled the threat of a boycott from the players and brought temporary stability to the team. While it was a saving grace for Tunisia, for Lamouchi, it was a bitter end.
His final days at the national team headquarters unfolded in a tense atmosphere. Local media even revealed a scuffle that occurred at the team's hotel after the loss to Sweden. Lamouchi's son was mentioned in some of the related allegations, although the former coach completely denied any interference from his relatives in the team's affairs.
Amidst near isolation, Lamouchi still received encouragement from an old friend. Andre-Pierre Gignac, former French national team striker and longtime Tigres star, personally traveled to his Tunisian hotel to meet his compatriot.
The crisis in the Tunisian dressing room erupted after the defeat to Sweden and swept away Sabri Lamouchi's job.
According to Mexican media, Gignac not only comforted Lamouchi but also offered him a place at his home while he finalized his departure from the national team. This was seen as one of the few heartwarming moments amidst the storm engulfing the French coach.
While Lamouchi is preparing to exit the World Cup in an undesirable way, Tunisia still has a chance to salvage their campaign. Herve Renard will make his debut against Japan on June 21st, at a time when the North African team is at the bottom of Group F after two matches.
The 2026 World Cup continues with Tunisia. But for Lamouchi, the tournament has ended amidst controversy, pressure, and a crisis he cannot control. From the man expected to revive the team, he has become the first victim of the 2026 World Cup.