# World Cup 2026 Roundup: Tunisia Sacks Lamouchi After One Game, Iran Held by New Zealand in Group G Thriller
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway across North America, and the drama has already delivered historic moments, political tension, and on-field excitement. Here’s your latest roundup from the tournament.
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## 🇹🇳 Tunisia Fires Lamouchi After Just One Match — Renard Takes Over
In a stunning and unprecedented move, Tunisia sacked head coach Sabri Lamouchi after just **one game** at the World Cup — the first time in tournament history a manager has lost his job following a single match.
Lamouchi, appointed only in January 2026, oversaw a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Sweden in Tunisia’s Group F opener. Speaking after the loss, Lamouchi admitted it was “painful,” saying, “We made too many mistakes. We are shooting ourselves in the foot.”
Tunisia wasted no time bringing in a replacement. **Hervé Renard**, the experienced French manager who led Morocco to World Cup glory and previously coached Saudi Arabia, has been named as the new head coach. Renard is known for his tactical discipline and ability to rally squads under pressure — qualities Tunisia will desperately need.
Tunisia still has Group F matches against Japan and the Netherlands to turn their campaign around.
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## 🇮🇷 Iran 2–2 New Zealand: Just Scores Twice in Entertaining Draw
Iran and New Zealand played out a thrilling 2–2 draw in Los Angeles on Monday night, but the result was overshadowed by off-field controversy.
### Match Stats
| Team | Goals | Shots | Shots on Target | Possession |
|——|——-|——-|—————–|————|
| Iran | 2 | 17 | 6 | 54% |
| New Zealand | 2 | 14 | 5 | 46% |
**Key Moments:**
– **Elijah Just** scored twice for New Zealand (his first World Cup goals), showcasing the form that earned him 7 goals and 8 assists for Motherwell this season
– Iran’s **Mehdi Taremi** was a constant threat, involved in both Iranian goals
– **Chris Wood** caused problems all night with his physical presence
### Off-Field Drama
Iran head coach **Amir Ghalenoei** called his team the “most oppressed” at the World Cup after they were ordered to **immediately return to their training base in Tijuana, Mexico** following the final whistle — instead of staying overnight in LA for recovery.
“We’ve been asked to get on a plane and return to our camp in Tijuana,” Ghalenoei said. “They are making the situation more and more difficult, more hurdles, but we’re not going to let that stop us.”
Several Iranian backroom staff members have been denied US visas, while their ticket allocations were revoked on the eve of the tournament. FIFA President **Gianni Infantino** visited Iran’s dressing room after the match to hear concerns.
Iran’s next match is against Belgium (June 21), followed by a Group G finale against Egypt (June 27).
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## 🇯🇴 Jordan Makes Historic World Cup Debut This Week
One of the heartwarming stories of this expanded 48-team tournament is **Jordan**, who make their **World Cup debut** this week. The Jordanian national team — once managed briefly by Harry Redknapp and Ray Wilkins — has transformed through a long-term strategy focused on Moroccan coaching and youth development.
Jordan opens against Austria on Wednesday and faces a group-stage finale against world champions Argentina (and Lionel Messi) on June 27.
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## 🗓️ Upcoming Matches to Watch
| Date | Match | Group | Venue |
|——|——-|——-|——-|
| June 16 | Japan vs Netherlands | F | Mexico City |
| June 17 | Austria vs Jordan | Group C | Los Angeles |
| June 17 | USA vs Morocco | Group A | Dallas |
| June 18 | Brazil vs Serbia | Group E | New York |
| June 21 | Iran vs Belgium | Group G | Los Angeles |
| June 27 | Jordan vs Argentina | Group C | Houston |
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## FAQ
**Q: Is this the first time a manager has been sacked during a World Cup?**
A: No, but it’s the first time after just **one game**. Previously, Tunisia sacked Henryk Kasperczak in 1998 after two winless matches, and South Korea fired Cha Bum-kun after two defeats in the same tournament.
**Q: Who is Hervé Renard?**
A: Renard is a highly respected French manager who notably led Saudi Arabia to a stunning 2–1 win over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup. He also managed Morocco, Zambia, and Ivory Coast, winning AFCON titles with Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015).
**Q: Why are Iran facing travel issues?**
A: The US and Iran had been in active conflict until a ceasefire agreement was announced just days before the tournament. Several Iranian staff have been denied US visas, and the team was forced to base their camp in Tijuana, Mexico instead of Tucson, Arizona.
**Q: What format is the 2026 World Cup?**
A: The tournament has expanded to **48 teams** divided into 12 groups of 4. The top two from each group plus the 8 best third-placed teams advance to the Round of 32.
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*Stay tuned to PC Master Deals for ongoing World Cup 2026 coverage, match analysis, and highlights throughout the tournament.*