Tunisia’s FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign appears to have taken a dramatic turn, with reports suggesting head coach Sabri Lamouchi is on the verge of leaving his position following the Eagles of Carthage’s crushing defeat to Sweden.
According to sources close to the Tunisian Football Federation, there is a 99 percent likelihood that Lamouchi’s tenure will come to an end on Monday, with an official announcement potentially arriving within the coming hours.
The development comes after Tunisia suffered a disappointing 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F match, a result that has placed immediate pressure on the coaching staff and significantly complicated the team’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Reports indicate that Tunisian sporting director Ziad Jaziri has already begun evaluating potential replacements who could guide the national team through its remaining World Cup fixtures.
With two crucial group-stage matches still to play, Tunisia’s football authorities are believed to be prioritising stability and experience as they seek to rescue their tournament campaign.
Among the names being discussed, former Tunisia head coach Monder Kebaier has reportedly emerged as the leading candidate to take charge on an interim basis until the conclusion of the World Cup.
Kebaier is no stranger to the national setup, having previously guided Tunisia through major international competitions and possessing extensive knowledge of the current player pool.
Tunisia entered the tournament hoping to build momentum after a strong qualification campaign, but their opening performance against Sweden exposed several defensive weaknesses.
Despite showing moments of promise, Tunisia struggled to contain Sweden’s attacking trio, with Yasin Ayari scoring twice while Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyökeres and Mattias Svanberg also found the scoresheet in a commanding Scandinavian display.
The heavy defeat has left Tunisia rooted near the bottom of Group F and facing a must-win situation in their upcoming matches if they are to keep their World Cup dreams alive.
The coming hours are expected to be decisive for Tunisian football. Should Lamouchi’s departure be confirmed, Tunisia would become one of the first nations at FIFA World Cup 2026 to make a managerial change during the tournament.
While federation officials have yet to release an official statement, growing speculation suggests preparations are already underway for a coaching transition.
With qualification hopes hanging in the balance, Tunisia now faces a race against time to restore confidence, reorganise the squad and reignite belief ahead of their remaining Group F encounters.
Credit Photo : FTF
