The 2026 FIFA World Cup has seen more than just on-field upsets, as three national team coaches have already vacated their posts due to poor results. Sabri Lamouchi of Tunisia was the first casualty, fired immediately after a crushing 5-1 loss to Sweden in their Group F opener. The Tunisian Football Federation quickly appointed Hervé Renard as his successor, marking the quickest managerial departure in the history of the tournament.
Scotland’s Steve Clarke also stepped down following his squad’s failure to qualify for the knockout stage. The 62-year-old manager had previously stated that an early exit would likely conclude his leadership, ending his tenure after the team was eliminated. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Hong Myung-bo resigned his position after his team suffered an unexpected group-stage exit.
Hong’s exit was fueled by significant public and political pressure, including calls from President Lee Jae-myung for an official inquiry into the squad’s lackluster performance. As the tournament moves into the final stages, further leadership changes remain possible as federations scrutinize their team outcomes.
