Tunisia have moved quickly to revive their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign by appointing experienced French coach Herve Renard as head coach following the departure of Sabri Lamouchi after the team’s opening defeat.

The Tunisian Football Association confirmed on Monday that Renard will take immediate charge of the Eagles of Carthage as they attempt to recover from a difficult start to the tournament.

His first assignment will be a crucial Group F encounter against Japan on June 20 in Monterrey.

The decision follows Tunisia’s heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening match, a result that left the North Africans at the bottom of their group and facing a tough battle to advance to the knockout stages.

With time running short, the federation has turned to one of the most respected coaches in international football. Renard arrives with a strong reputation for delivering success in challenging environments, particularly across Africa.

The 57-year-old is the only coach to have won the Africa Cup of Nations with two different nations, leading Zambia to glory in 2012 and Côte d’Ivoire to victory in 2015. His résumé also includes spells with Morocco and Saudi Arabia, as well as appearances at the FIFA World Cup.

Renard’s most notable World Cup moment came with Saudi Arabia at Qatar 2022, where his side stunned eventual champions Argentina in the group stage.

The Tunisian federation believes his experience will be invaluable as the Eagles seek to rescue their campaign against strong opposition in Group F.

Although Renard’s initial appointment runs until the end of the current World Cup, reports suggest discussions are underway regarding a possible extension should both parties wish to continue beyond the tournament.

The immediate challenge is clear. Tunisia must quickly recover from their opening setback and secure a positive result against Japan to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.

Renard inherits a squad with talent and experience but one that appeared fragile defensively against Sweden. Restoring confidence, organisation, and belief will be among his top priorities.

For Tunisia, the appointment represents more than a coaching change — it is an attempt to inject fresh energy into a campaign that threatened to unravel after just one match.