Tunisia became the first national team to move on to a coach change during this year's World Cup, as Sampri Lamussi was removed from the bench after heavy defeat 5-1 from Sweden. As quoted in Mirror, the former Nottingham Forest midfielder had taken over the team only a few months ago, while former international Wabby Hazri is expected to cover his position temporarily.
Although only half of the 48 teams participating in the World Cup have played their first game in the event, one country has already moved on to the first change coach.
According to reports, the Tunisian football federation fired federal technician Sampri Lamushi after the team crashed 5-1 from Sweden on Monday morning. The official announcement is expected immediately, while former Sunderland footballer, Wabby Hazri, will take office coach duties.
In fact, Lamousi's son who is a member of the Tunisia mission allegedly had an episode with a team fan after the end of the match with the "Vikings".
Hazri will lead the national team in the next match against Japan on Sunday and, according to the same information, is expected to remain on the bench until the end of the World Cup. At the same time, Montere Kebayer is reportedly the first favourite to take the team's technical leadership permanently.
BREAKING: Tunisia have been slaughtered manager Sabri Lamouchi after their 5-1 loss to Sweden in the country’s first game at the World Cup pic.twitter. com/DjLW1Bnmpk— World Source News (@Worldsource24) June 15, 2026
Sweden did not encounter any particular difficulties in the match in Guadeloupe, Mexico. Yasin Ayari scored two goals, while Victor Gioceras of Arsenal and Alexander Isaac of Liverpool also scored. For Tunisia, the only goal was scored by Omar Rekik, but without being able to prevent the heavy defeat and drag of the African team.
Hazri now assumes Tunisia's preparation for the group's remaining games against Japan and the Netherlands. The team's next World Cup match is scheduled for June 20 in Guadeloupe, against Japan.
Extraordinary meeting of the Tunisian Federation
The decision to remove Lamousi appears to have been taken after an extraordinary meeting of the Tunisian football federation immediately after the end of the match with Sweden. The heavy defeat was the continuation of a series of negative results before the start of the World Cup.
A few days before the trip to the United States, Tunisia had experienced yet another crash, this time with 5-0 from Belgium in the latest friendly preparation. Lamussi, who had previously worked as coach at Nottingham Forest in Championship, remained on the national team bench only five games. He had been hired earlier in the year, after the departure of previous federal technician Sammy Trabelsi, who paid the price of Tunisia's failed course at the African Nations Cup.
"We apologize to the Tunisian people"
After the heavy defeat from Sweden, international footballer of Tunisia Mohammed Amin Ben Hamida addressed a message to the country's fans.
"We met a heavy defeat due to small details and errors," he told La Presse.
"At this level, against a group like Sweden, when you make such serious mistakes, you pay a heavy price. Sweden was more effective and took advantage of all our mistakes. We apologize to the Tunisian people for this defeat.
We will try to make amends and correct our course in the next game. We definitely need more concentration in the future.".