Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi's contract has been terminated after federation chiefs held talks following the humiliating 5-1 defeat by Sweden in their opening World Cup match.

"An agreement has been officially reached ⁠to dismiss coach Sabri Lamouchi," the federation's statement said on Monday. "Plans are under way ‌to appoint ‌Mondher Kebaier as the national team ‌coach (on an interim basis)."

Lamouchi has only been in charge since January 2026. His potential successor, Kebaier, coached the national side from 2019 to 2022. He is with the Tunisian World Cup delegation which is based in Monterrey, Mexico.

Several Tunisian media outlets had earlier reported that Lamouchi would be sacked.

Tough task ahead

After Sunday's loss, Tunisia now have a tough task to reach the second stage of a World Cup at the seventh attempt.

Their remaining group matches are against Japan in Monterrey next Saturday and the Netherlands in Kansas City on June 25.

Japan drew 2-2 with the Dutch in their opening game on Sunday.

Former France international Lamouchi, 54, had previous World Cup experience having coached Côte d'Ivoire at the 2014 edition but he resigned after they failed to make the knockout stages.