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Rabat – After being appointed Tunisia’s new head coach during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Herve Renard returns to a competition that has already produced several defining moments in his long coaching career.
Tunisia moved quickly to hire the Frenchman following the dismissal of Sabri Lamouchi, who left after the Carthage Eagles suffered a 5-1 defeat against Sweden in their opening Group F match.
Renard will lead Tunisia for the remainder of their World Cup campaign, with the federation expected to discuss a possible longer-term agreement after the tournament.
The appointment gives the 57-year-old another chance on football’s biggest stage, only two months after Saudi Arabia dismissed him despite his role in helping the team qualify for the competition.
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Building his reputation in Africa
Renard’s international career began to take shape when he worked as an assistant to experienced French coach Claude Le Roy with Ghana.
He later became Zambia’s head coach and led the Chipolopolo to one of the most emotional victories in African football history.
Zambia won the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon, defeating Côte d’Ivoire on penalties in the final.
The triumph came close to the site of the 1993 plane crash that killed most members of Zambia’s national team.
Three years later, Renard won the tournament again, this time with Côte d’Ivoire.
The Elephants defeated Ghana on penalties in the 2015 final, ending a 23-year wait for another continental title.
Renard became the first and remains the only coach to win the Africa Cup of Nations with two different countries.
His African coaching career has also included spells with Angola and Morocco. Tunisia now becomes the fifth African national team he has managed as head coach.
Taking Morocco back to the World Cup
Renard took charge of Morocco in 2016 and ended the Atlas Lions’ 20-year absence from the World Cup by qualifying for the 2018 tournament in Russia.
Morocco competed in a difficult group with Spain, Portugal, and Iran.
Although the Atlas Lions were eliminated in the group stage, they produced competitive performances throughout the tournament.
They lost narrowly to Iran and Portugal before holding Spain to a 2-2 draw in their final match.
Morocco finished with one point, but Renard’s role in returning the country to the World Cup strengthened his reputation across African football.
Saudi Arabia’s historic win over Argentina
Renard left Morocco in 2019 and became Saudi Arabia’s head coach later that year.
He guided the Green Falcons to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they produced one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history.
Saudi Arabia defeated eventual champions Argentina 2-1 in their opening group match after coming from behind in the second half.
Renard’s tactical plan, including a high defensive line and aggressive pressing, helped stop an Argentina team that entered the match unbeaten in 36 games.
Saudi Arabia later lost to Poland and Mexico and did not reach the knockout stage, but the win over Argentina became one of Renard’s most memorable achievements.
France women and return to Saudi Arabia
Renard left Saudi Arabia in March 2023 to take charge of the France women’s national team.
He led Les Bleues to the quarterfinals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where they lost to hosts Australia following a penalty shootout.
France also reached the quarterfinals of the women’s football tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Renard returned to Saudi Arabia in October 2024 during the qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
He helped the team secure a third consecutive appearance at the tournament but was dismissed in April, before the finals began.
Another World Cup challenge
Renard has now coached at the 2018 and 2022 men’s World Cups, as well as the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
His appointment by Tunisia means he will take charge at a third men’s World Cup, although he joins the team after their opening match.
Tunisia still have group-stage fixtures against Japan and the Netherlands.
Renard has little time to introduce major tactical changes, but his experience in African football and international tournaments gives Tunisia a proven coach for their attempt to recover from a difficult start.
From Zambia’s historic African title to Saudi Arabia’s victory over Argentina, Renard’s career has been built around unexpected challenges.
His latest task is to restore confidence in a Tunisia team fighting to keep its World Cup campaign alive.
