Renard Makes Dugout Debut After Tunisia's Drastic Move
Tunisia manager Herve Renard will make his dugout debut for the team against Japan on Saturday after replacing Sabri Lamouchi, who was shown the exit following a harrowing 5-1 defeat against Sweden. The Carthage Eagles did not waste time in parting company with Lamouchi, making them the first team ever to sack a coach after their first game at the finals.
The match, which kicks off at 12:00 AM EDT at the Estadio BBVA in Guadalupe, also marks the 1,000th game in FIFA World Cup history. The 48-team format means the North Africans still have a chance to progress from Group F, but Renard has little margin for error.
"When the federation contacted me, I didn't hesitate for a second," Renard said after his appointment on Tuesday. "It's a challenge that isn't easy, but it's a motivating challenge."
A Manager with a Mythical Reputation
Renard made a name for himself in the World Cup four years ago when he coached Saudi Arabia to a famous group-stage win over Argentina, despite Lionel Messi giving the eventual champions an early lead. The 57-year-old joins a select group of men to manage different countries at three successive tournaments, having led Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022.
He is also the only manager to have won the Africa Cup of Nations with two different teams, leading Zambia to a fairy tale triumph over Ivory Coast in 2012 before guiding the West Africans to the trophy three years later.
The Stakes: Must-Win Against Japan
Tunisia enters the match after a devastating loss that prompted immediate action from the Tunisian Football Federation. With the Netherlands also part of Group F, Tunisia knows that earning points against Japan is essential to remain in contention.
Japan is seeking its first win of the tournament after storming back to draw 2-2 against the Netherlands last time out. A win would give the Samurai Blue a very good chance of reaching the knockout stages. The draw against the Dutch came at a cost after winger Takefusa Kubo suffered a knee injury that could throw his World Cup campaign into doubt.
Tunisia may have suffered a devastating loss, but it doesn't have the same level of fitness concerns as Renard picks from a fully fit squad. Japan has come out on top in five of the six meetings between these teams to date, with the only exception being Tunisia's 3-0 win at the 2022 Kirin Cup.
Renard's Predicted Lineup
According to beIN SPORTS, Renard is expected to field a 4-3-3 formation: Abdelmouhib Chamakh in goal; Yan Valery, Omar Rekik, Montassar Talbi, Amine Ben Hamida, and Ali Abdi in defense; Rani Khedira, Ellyes Skhiri, and Hannibal Mejbri in midfield; and Elias Saad and Anis Ben Slimane leading the attack.
From Cleaner to Coach: Renard's Unlikely Journey
Renard's long and varied CV includes spells with clubs in France, England, Vietnam and Algeria, as well as six different national sides. But his first steps into management came in more humble circumstances. Offered the chance to do some coaching at SC Draguignan in the south-east of France, Renard also took a job as a cleaner.
"I woke up at 2:30 in the morning, finished around noon and then left at 5pm for training at Draguignan," Renard told BBC Sport Africa in 2019. "We trained and I'd return home at around 9pm to eat and then go to bed at 11pm. That was my rhythm of life for eight years."
He studied for his coaching badges alongside his cleaning job and credits that period with putting his life into perspective. "It was a physical job and I'm proud of having done it. It's the best schooling I could have had. You have to go through some failures and difficult times but it makes you stronger."
What This Changes for Group F
Renard's appointment brings a reputation for turning difficult situations around. He must quickly rebuild the confidence of a squad that conceded five goals against Sweden while finding a competitive identity capable of challenging a Japanese side that continues to establish itself among Asia's elite.
The Frenchman is known for his emotional, morale-boosting halftime speeches. When coaching Saudi Arabia in 2022, he famously rallied his players with the words: "How long did it take you to get here? Four years? Two years of qualifiers? We're not going to throw it all away in one week. In football, you cannot win if you don't play as a united block."
Tunisia has already experienced one of those Herve Renard talks, according to sources close to the team. Now it's time to put it on display on the field.
With their World Cup hopes on the line and the spotlight of the tournament's 1,000th match shining brightly, Tunisia faces a defining moment in its 2026 campaign. A win would keep them alive, while a loss would likely end their journey before the knockout stages. For more on how sports history is being made, check out our coverage of Banana Ball Takes Over Cincinnati as Clowns Revival Brings Negro Leagues History to New Generation.
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