Tunisia has completely failed Their entry into the 2026 World Cup. Beaten 5-1 by Sweden in Monterrey, the Carthage Eagles left their first match with a heavy defeat, a cracked defense, and a coach immediately under pressure. Sabri Lamouchi, appointed in January to lead the Tunisian national team until 2028, already finds himself at the heart of a major crisis. His tenure was supposed to usher in a new era. After just one World Cup match, it already looks like a hot-button issue.
Five goals conceded, no margin
Sweden struck early. Yasin Ayari opened the scoring in the 7th minute, before Alexander Isak doubled the lead half an hour into the game. Omar Rekik briefly revived Tunisia's hopes just before halftime, but the second half confirmed the deficit: Viktor Gyökeres, Mattias Svanberg, and then Ayari again turned the defeat into a rout. Tunisia conceded five goals in their opening match of the tournament. In such a tight group stage, it's a direct blow to their chances of qualifying.
Lamouchi acknowledges the mistakes
After the match, Sabri Lamouchi spoke of a defeat "difficult" et “painful”He particularly emphasized the number of errors committed by his team, judging that Tunisia had put itself in danger. Poor clearances, dangerous turnovers, fragile defensive positioning: Tunisia gave too many opportunities to a Swedish side equipped to punish them immediately.
A coach already under threat
The pressure is now at its maximum around Lamouchi. Having arrived with the idea of installing a longer-term project, he sees his future called into question at the worst possible time: in the middle of the World Cup, between two decisive matches.
Tunisia still has to face Japan and then the Netherlands in Group F. After such a start, every mistake will be costly.
Tunisia faces an explosive decision
Sacking a coach during a World Cup would be a radical decision. Keeping him on after a 5-1 defeat also carries an obvious risk: that of letting a team already reeling start the next round without a jolt of change. The Tunisian Football Federation must therefore choose between stability and a clean break. The timing is disastrous, but the result against Sweden has triggered an immediate crisis. Tunisia is not yet eliminated. But it has no room for error. The match against Japan will already be crucial…
