Herve Renard Confirms Departure from Tunisia After 2026 World Cup

Herve Renard has never been a man for half-measures, and he is treating the Tunisia job like a hit-and-run mission. One World Cup. Then goodbye.

The French coach has confirmed he will step down as Tunisia head coach after the 2026 World Cup, drawing a clear line under his tenure before it has truly begun to settle.

“I’ve come for a World Cup mission,” Renard told ESPN on Monday. “I have not signed beyond that.”

His contract with the Carthage Eagles runs only through the tournament, with no extension planned beyond June. The message from both sides is stark: this is a short, sharp project, not a long rebuild.

Renard was brought in to replace Sabri Lamouchi after Tunisia were humiliated 5-0 by Belgium, a defeat that exposed deep flaws and forced a change on the bench. The federation turned to a coach known for his tournament savvy and his ability to jolt underperforming teams back to life.

The bounce has not arrived yet.

On Saturday, Tunisia fell to Japan, a result that sealed their elimination after just two matches. For a team that turned to Renard seeking resilience on the big stage, going out this early stings badly.

Yet the coach’s stance remains unchanged. His commitment is tied to the World Cup cycle, not beyond it. No safety net, no rolling extension, no quiet clause to keep him in place.

Tunisia now know exactly where they stand: Renard will lead them into 2026, but once the final whistle of their campaign blows, the search for the next man in charge will begin all over again.