Tunisia have reportedly moved to appoint experienced French coach Herve Renard following their heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the North African side looks to revive its campaign after a disastrous start.

Tunisia played Sweden in their opening match of the World Cup on Sunday, June 14.

The match ended in a 5-1 victory for Sweden, one of the biggest wins of the tournament so far. It was a Group F fixture, which also includes the Netherlands and Japan.

The crushing loss left Tunisia bottom of Group F and sparked immediate concern over the team’s prospects of reaching the knockout stages. Sweden dominated the contest, exposing defensive weaknesses and leaving Tunisian officials searching for answers ahead of their remaining group matches.

According to multiple media reports, team coach Sabri Lamouchi was sacked and immediately replaced by Renard.

The 57-year-old is one of international football’s most respected coaches, having guided Zambia to a historic Africa Cup of Nations title in 2012 and leading Ivory Coast to continental glory in 2015. He has also managed Morocco, Saudi Arabia and the French women’s national team.

Renard’s appointment is viewed as an emergency measure aimed at restoring confidence and discipline within the squad before Tunisia’s crucial upcoming fixtures.

Tunisia still have two group matches remaining and must quickly recover if they are to keep alive hopes of advancing to the round of 32. Their next challenge comes against Japan on June 21 before a final group-stage meeting with the Netherlands on June 25.

The defeat to Sweden was one of the heaviest suffered by Tunisia at a World Cup and has intensified pressure on the team’s leadership and players. Sweden’s convincing victory also strengthened the Scandinavian side’s position in Group F after the opening round of matches.

With time running short, Tunisia will hope Renard’s extensive international experience can provide the spark needed to rescue their World Cup campaign and avoid an early exit from the tournament.

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Germany forward Kai Havertz, Sweden midfielder Yasin Ayari and United States striker Folarin Balogun are tied at the top of the race for the adidas Golden Boot after the opening round of matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Balogun was the first player to score twice at the tournament, netting a first-half brace in the United States’ 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group D opener. The Monaco forward became the first American player to score multiple goals in a World Cup match since 1930.

Havertz joined him on two goals after scoring twice in Germany’s emphatic 7-1 win over World Cup debutants Curaçao in Group E. Later the same day, Ayari matched the tally with a brace in Sweden’s 5-1 victory over Tunisia.

With many teams still to play their opening matches, the race for the tournament’s top scorer remains wide open.

Several players are close behind the leading trio with one goal each. Germany’s Deniz Undav and Sweden’s Alexander Isak currently lead the tiebreak rankings among the one-goal scorers, having also provided two assists in their respective matches.

Other players to get on the scoresheet include Germany’s Jamal Musiala and Felix Nmecha, Brazil’s Vinicius Jr, Mexico duo Raul Jimenez and Julian Quinones, Japan’s Daichi Kamada and Keito Nakamura, Scotland captain John McGinn, and Canada forward Cyle Larin.

Under FIFA’s Golden Boot rules, the award is presented to the player who scores the most goals during the tournament. If two or more players finish level on goals, assists are used as the first tiebreaker. Should players remain tied, the award is decided by total minutes played, with the player who has played fewer minutes ranked higher.

The standings are expected to change significantly as the group stage continues and the remaining teams begin their World Cup campaigns.

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Australia upset Turkiye 2-0 in their opening Group D match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, producing a disciplined counterattacking display in Vancouver on Saturday.

Goals from 20-year-old Nestory Irankunda and midfielder Connor Metcalfe secured all three points for the Socceroos, while goalkeeper Patrick Beach delivered a standout performance with a series of crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet.

Australia coach Tony Popovic made several bold selection decisions ahead of the match, leaving experienced captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan on the bench in favor of Beach, who was making only his third international appearance. Vice-captain Jackson Irvine was also omitted from the starting lineup, with young midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler handed a key role.

Despite enjoying the majority of possession and creating numerous chances, Turkiye were repeatedly denied by Beach, whose impressive display frustrated the European side throughout the match.

Australia took the lead in the 28th minute after Beach launched a move from deep inside his own half. Okon-Engstler collected the ball and delivered a long pass that split the Turkish defense, sending Irankunda through on goal. The winger showed composure to control the pass and finish low past the goalkeeper.

Turkiye came close to responding immediately. Real Madrid midfielder Arda Guler tested Beach with a powerful effort before defender Abdulkerim Bardakci nearly equalized moments later, only for the Australian goalkeeper to tip his long-range strike onto the post.

Beach continued his heroics after the break, including a fine save to deny Guler from a free kick as Turkiye pressed for an equalizer.

Australia doubled their advantage in the 75th minute when Metcalfe surged forward from midfield and unleashed a strike from outside the penalty area to seal the victory.

“It feels amazing,” Irankunda said after the match. “You have got to thank the staff and the nation for believing in me.”

The goal made Irankunda the youngest Australian men’s player to score at a FIFA World Cup.

The result marks a strong start for Australia, who are appearing in their sixth consecutive World Cup and seventh overall. Turkiye, playing in their first World Cup since their third-place finish in 2002, were left disappointed after failing to capitalize on their dominance in possession.

Australia, Turkiye, the United States and Paraguay make up Group D. The United States currently lead the group after a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their opening match.