Hervé Renard has been appointed as Tunisia’s new head coach at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, taking immediate charge of the team after the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi following a heavy opening defeat.
The Tunisian Football Federation confirmed the decision after the 5-1 loss to Sweden in Tunisia’s opening Group F match, a result that prompted swift action from the federation hierarchy.
Lamouchi’s exit was officially announced late on Monday, bringing a sudden end to his brief spell in charge at the tournament after just one game.
In a statement, the federation confirmed that Renard would assume responsibility immediately and operate under the same financial terms as the outgoing technical team.
“The agreement ties the renowned French coach to the team until the end of the current World Cup campaign. However, both parties have agreed to begin negotiations after the tournament to design a long-term project,” the statement read.
The federation added that Renard’s role is strictly for the duration of the competition, with discussions over a longer-term project expected after the tournament concludes.
“The urgency of the schedule leaves no room for delay, and the new coach has no time to lose,” the statement noted, confirming that Renard will be formally unveiled at a press conference at the training ground shortly before leading his first training session.
The decision marks one of the most dramatic mid-tournament coaching changes in World Cup history, with Tunisia becoming the first team in the competition to sack a head coach after only one match.
Lamouchi, 54, reportedly paid the price not only for the heavy defeat to Sweden but also for growing tensions with the federation and sections of the squad since his appointment.
The move also echoes past instability for the “Carthage Eagles,” who previously changed coaches during the 1998 World Cup in France.
Renard’s appointment marks his third men’s World Cup as a coach with different national teams.
He previously led Morocco in 2018, where they exited at the group stage, and Saudi Arabia in 2022, where they famously beat Argentina but still failed to reach the knockout rounds.
He also managed the French women’s national team at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Australia.
Former Tunisia international midfielder Wahbi Khazri, who served as Lamouchi’s assistant, will remain on the technical staff under Renard.
