Staff Reporter
TUNISIA have moved swiftly to revive their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign by appointing experienced French coach Hervé Renard as national team manager following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi.
The Tunisian Football Federation confirmed the appointment on Monday, less than 24 hours after the Carthage Eagles suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F match.
Federation president Moez Nassari announced that an agreement had been reached with Renard to lead the national team for the remainder of the tournament, replacing Lamouchi, whose tenure lasted barely six months after taking charge in January.
The heavy loss to Sweden left Tunisia’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, prompting football authorities to make an immediate change in the dugout ahead of a crucial clash against Japan on Saturday.
Renard arrives with an impressive track record and a reputation as one of international football’s most accomplished tournament coaches. The 57-year-old is no stranger to African football, having guided Zambia to a historic Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2012 before repeating the feat with Ivory Coast in 2015.
He is also widely remembered for masterminding one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history when his Saudi Arabia side stunned eventual champions Argentina 2-1 during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Most recently, Renard was in charge of the France women’s national team, adding further experience to an already distinguished coaching résumé.
Tunisia will be hoping Renard’s vast international expertise can inspire an immediate turnaround as they prepare for a must-win encounter against Japan. Another defeat would almost certainly end their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.
The appointment makes Tunisia the first team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup to change coaches during the tournament, underlining the urgency surrounding their campaign after Sunday’s crushing defeat.
With Renard now at the helm, Tunisian supporters will be hoping the renowned turnaround specialist can once again work his magic on football’s biggest stage.
