FIRST THREE TEAMS AT THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 | QUALIFIED & ELIMINATED

 

TUNISIA HIRE FORMER SAUDI ARABIA COACH HERVÉ RENARD DURING WORLD CUP

 

MONTERREY, Mexico — Hervé Renard is back on the World Cup stage.

The former Saudi Arabia coach was appointed Tunisia manager on Tuesday following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi, becoming one of the most unexpected coaching stories of FIFA World Cup 2026.

Tunisia acted after suffering a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden in its opening Group F match, turning to the experienced Frenchman in a bid to revive its hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.

The appointment marks Renard's third consecutive men's World Cup with a different nation.

He previously coached Morocco at the 2018 tournament in Russia before guiding Saudi Arabia at Qatar 2022, where he led the Green Falcons to a historic 2-1 victory over eventual champions Argentina.

Renard's return to the World Cup comes just two months after his departure from Saudi Arabia following the team's qualification campaign for the expanded 48-team tournament.

Between men's World Cups, Renard also coached France at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup and led the host nation at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Despite building a reputation as one of international football's most respected tournament coaches, Renard has yet to guide a team beyond the World Cup group stage.

His greatest achievements remain in Africa, where he became the first coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries, lifting the title with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015.

Tunisia now hopes that pedigree can inspire a turnaround. Renard has only a few days to prepare his new team before a crucial clash against Japan on Saturday, followed by a meeting with group favorite Netherlands.

- Saudi Gazette, Agencie

IMPATIENT TUNISIA SACK MANAGER AFTER JUST FIRST WORLD CUP MATCH | FIFA WORLD CUP 2026

BREAKING: Sabri Lamouchi has been SACKED by Tunisia following the 5-1 defeat to Sweden.

Lamouchi becomes the FIRST manager to lose his job at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

ALEXANDER ISAK & VIKTOR GYÖKERES AMONG THE GOALS AS SWEDEN THRASH

 

Sweden made a devastating statement of intent at the 2026 World Cup as they dismantled Tunisia 5-1 to move to the top of Group F. Spearheaded by the clinical duo of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres, who both got their names on the scoresheet, the Scandinavians proved far too powerful for their African opponents in Monterrey.

Isak shines as Sweden's stars find their groove

Isak put a difficult debut season with Liverpool firmly behind him by delivering a dominant performance on the world stage. The striker was the architect of Tunisia's downfall, scoring a brilliant solo goal and playing a pivotal role in the build-up to several others as Graham Potter's side lived up to their pre-tournament billing.

The breakthrough came as early as the seventh minute through Brighton's Yasin Ayari. Despite having Tunisian heritage, the midfielder showed no sentimentality as he rifled home from the edge of the box after Mouhib Chamakh had initially denied Isak and Gyokeres in a chaotic opening sequence.

Getty Images 

Tunisia struggle to contain rampant strike force

Tunisia arrived at the tournament boasting a proud defensive record from qualifying, but that reputation was shredded within half an hour. Sweden's second arrived via a blistering counter-attack that saw Isak released down the left flank; the Liverpool man cut inside with ease, leaving the Tunisian defence trailing before curling a precise effort into the far corner.

Tunisia did manage to find a lifeline just before the interval to briefly threaten a comeback. Omar Rekik rose highest to head home a well-delivered cross from Hannibal Mejbri, punishing a rare lapse in the Swedish backline and giving the African side a glimmer of hope heading into the tunnel.

Gyokeres capitalises on defensive errors

Any hopes of a Tunisian revival were extinguished in the 59th minute when Sweden's high press paid dividends. Isak was again the catalyst, harassing captain Ellyes Skhiri into a catastrophic error on the edge of the area. The ball fell perfectly for Arsenal's Gyokeres, who composed himself before clinicaly widen the lead.

The goal settled any remaining nerves for the Swedes, who began to play with the swagger of genuine contenders. The gloss was added to the scoreline late on as Mattias Svanberg made an instant impact. Seconds after being introduced from the bench, he turned the ball home after a subtle flick from Isak. While the assistant referee initially raised his flag, a VAR review correctly determined that Isak’s touch had played Svanberg onside, making it 4-1. There was still time for Ayari to record his second of the night in stoppage time, pouncing on a loose ball to complete the 5-1 thumping.

- Donny Afroni

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AFCON DAY 3: NIGERIA, SENEGAL, TUNISIA WIN BIG; DR CONGO IN VAR CONTROVERSY

Four former champions in Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia and the Democratic Republic of Congo - all of whom harbour title ambitions this time around - began their Africa Cup of Nations campaigns with victories on Tuesday, although Benin were left ruing a malfunctioning VAR that may have cost them a draw.

In Tangier, Senegal gave an early statement of their title credentials as a Nicolas Jackson double saw them sail past Botswana, the lowest ranked team in the competition, 3-0.

The Bayern Munich man finished smartly in the 40th minute after Ismail Jakobs' cutback and then added a brace with another calm finish beyond Goitseone Phoko before the hour mark. Cherif Ndiaye added a third at the death.

Cem Ozdel/Anadolu via Getty Images

Jackson, Sadio Mane and Iliman Ndiaye could all have broken the deadlock for Senegal earlier during a rampant first half showing by the 2021 champions, with the overworked Phoko requiring to be on hand to make several key stops.

"We could have scored more," reflected Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, "but what stands out is my team's commitment and discipline.

"What I take away from the match is the team's professionalism, they followed instructions and got the job done."

It takes them up to top spot in Group D ahead of their meeting with the Democratic Republic of Congo on Saturday, although the latter also affirmed why they are being considered one of the tournament dark horses with a 1-0 victory over Benin in Rabat.

Theo Bongonda's early goal proved the difference-maker between the two sides, with the Spartak Moscow winger beating Saturnin Allagbe with a calm finish after reacting quickest to a defensive miscalculation by defender Yohan Roche.

However, there was no shortage of controversy in the fixture, with Benin left seething after a handball by DRC skipper Chancel Mbemba was missed in the box, with officials later acknowledging they had not been able to check the incident due to VAR malfunctioning.

It was not entirely clear on replay whether the ball made contact with the veteran defender's shoulder or arm, but while South African referee Abongile Tom jogged over to the pitch side monitor to examine the footage, he was unable to view any images as the VAR system broke down.

The official had earlier used VAR to rule out a header by DR Congo forward Cedric Bakambu following an extended review.

It's an error that leaves Benin with a brooding sense of injustice and they'll be determined to make amends when they face Botswana at Rabat's Olympic Stadium this weekend.

"We witnessed a very good football match that did not deserve to have a loser," Benin head coach Gernot Rohr told journalists. "My team made me proud.

"We now prepare well for the match against Botswana, with the advantage of having our suspended players back."

Over in Group C, Nigeria began their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in rainy Fes, although the Super Eagles didn't have things entirely their own way despite dominating the early stages of the contest.

With goalkeeper Zuberi 'Foba' Masudi in inspired form, and Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen spurning chances aplenty, it fell to Man of the Match Semi Ajayi to break the deadlock when he rose unmarked to head an Alex Iwobi cross into the corner of the Tanzanian net.

Osimhen thought he'd added a second moments after the break, only for VAR to rule him offside by the tightest of margins, and Nigeria were stunned moments later when Kokola M'Mombwa broke the Eagles' offside trap to finish beyond Stanley Nwabali.

Tanzania's hopes of holding onto a draw lasted a mere two minutes: Ademola Lookman swivelled on the edge of their box and lashed home powerfully beyond Masudi to take back the lead, and with it the three points.

"We're happy, and the most important thing at the AFCON is to improve in every game," Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle told ESPN. "So now, after the analysis we'll do tonight or tomorrow, we'll continue to improve.

"We have to improve defensively, of course, put in more movement when we don't have the ball, and when we have it. I congratulate my players, but we have a lot of work."

Next up for the Nigeria are Tunisia, who began their tournament in style by easing past Uganda 3-1 in Rabat.

Ellyes Skhiri opened the scoring for Tunisia after ten minutes amidst some testing weather conditions in the Moroccan capital, before goals from Elias Achouri either side of halftime made sure of victory.

Denis Omedi pulled one back for Uganda in the second minute of stoppage time, although both Uganda and Tanzania will know - ahead of their December 27 meeting in Rabat - that victory in that game week two fixture will likely decide whether their tournament will extend beyond the group stage.

"We showed them too much respect," Uganda head coach Paul Put bemoaned after the match. "This is a bad start. I think we weren't aggressive enough, but you're playing at the AFCON, you need to win your duels.

"We know what we need to do in our next game," he added. "We'll be playing under pressure, a draw will not be enough, but I do believe that we can bounce back."

What's coming up on Day Four?

Cameroon versus Gabon is the standout fixture on Wednesday, with the two Central African neighbours set to meet in Agadir following the earlier Group F clash between reigning champions Ivory Coast and Mozambique in Marrakesh.

Algeria and Sudan meet in Rabat in Group E, while Burkina Faso will take on Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca in the day's early kickoff.

- Ed Dove, ESPN

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