Tunisia vs Japan Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Tunisia, who have produced one of the most fascinating storylines at FIFA World Cup 2026 already, now come up against a strong Japan side in their second game in Group F.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Tunisia preview: Poor Tunisians
Following a disappointing CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaign earlier this year, Tunisia appointed former Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi. Lamouchi then set about a fairly surprising squad selection process, which involved a cull of some major names. His presence and discussions, supported by assistant coach Michael Hefele, formerly of Huddersfield Town, allowed for Rani Khedira in particular to switch his international allegiance to The Eagles of Carthage ahead of the summer.
That is an example of the power Lamouchi was given and felt he had, as well as his sway, and yet, after just one game, he has been sacked. A 5-1 hammering at the hands of Sweden in Monterrey in their opener has seen him replaced by former Saudi Arabia boss Herve Renard, who led The Green Falcons to a famous defeat of eventual champions Argentina at FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Japan preview: Resilience in their opener
Japan had been dealt some major injury blows in the build-up to this tournament, with Wataru Endo having to withdraw after stars such as Kaoru Mitoma and Takumi Minamino failed to make the squad, and yet the depth of Japanese football means they maintain a real chance of going deep this summer, with their resilience on display against the Netherlands in their opener.
Having gone behind in the game twice in Dallas, the Japanese fought back to share a 2-2 draw with the Dutch. Hajime Moriyasu’s side, technically excellent, showed a versatility to their game that was perhaps unknown, or at least underrated, prior to the game, matching the Netherlands’ physicality both in terms of strength and endurance to snatch that point in Texas.
Tunisia team news: Up in the air
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
The departure of Sabri Lamouchi and subsequent appointment of Herve Renard does throw things up in the air a bit, although they do share similar styles of football with a safety first approach the way in which the Tunisians will continue to play.
Ali Abdi played quite high up for the Tunisians against the Swedes but, naturally a full-back, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him drop deeper for Tunisia to play a back three, which has often been the preference of Renard.
Predicted XI (3-5-1-1): Chamakh; Rekik, Talbi, Ben Hamida; Valery, Khedira, Skhiri, Mejbri, Abdi; Ben Slimane; Saad
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Japan team news: Kubo now out
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences...
After those injuries to key trio Mitoma, Minamino and Endo, Hajime Moriyasu has been dealt yet another blow with Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo set to be sidelined for around three weeks with a knee injury, with his FIFA World Cup participation now potentially over.
Japan went with a back three against the Dutch and they will likely maintain that. Yuito Suzuki, off the back of an impressive season for Freiburg, could now replace Kubo, albeit Junya Ito is the likelier replacement as an out-and-out winger, rather than an attacking midfielder.
Predicted XI (3-4-3): Z. Suzuki; Watanabe, Taniguchi, H. Ito; Doan, Sano, Kamada, Nakamura; J. Ito, Ueda, Maeda
Unavailable: Kubo (Injured)
Questionable:
Tunisia’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Montassar Talbi ($3.9m) – Defender
Anis Ben Silmane ($5.3m) – Midfielder
Hannibal Mejbri ($4.8m) – Midfielder
Matchday 2 captain pick: Hannibal Mejbri
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Ismael Gharbi, Ali Abdi
Free kicks: Hannibal Mejbri
Corners: Hannibal Mejbri, Ali Abdi, Ismael Gharbi
Japan’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Takefusa Kubo ($7.0m) – Midfielder
Daichi Kamada ($5.8m) – Midfielder
Ayase Ueda ($7.0m) – Forward
Matchday 2 captain pick: Daichi Kamada
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Ayase Ueda
Free kicks: Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan, Daichi Kamada
Corners: Takefusa Kubo, Ritsu Doan, Junya Ito
Key stats
- Their only previous FIFA World Cup meeting was in the 2002 group stage when Japan beat Tunisia 2-0 in Osaka, with goals from Hiroaki Morishima and Hidetoshi Nakata clinching victory for the co-hosts.
- Tunisia have lost their second fixture in five of their six previous FIFA World Cup participations (D1).
- Ellyes Skhiri could make his eighth FIFA World Cup appearance, equalling the Tunisian record held jointly by Riadh Bouazizi and Kais Ghodhbane.
- Japan have lost only two of their last seven FIFA World Cup group matches (W3 D2).
- Only three of Japan’s 26 previous FIFA World Cup matches have finished goalless.
- An appearance for Yuto Nagatomo would see him tie the Asian record of 16 World Cup matches played, currently held by Hong Myung‑bo (Korea Republic).
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Tunisia vs Japan prediction
Japan headed into the tournament believing that they could go on and win it, as explained by manager Moriyasu. Their opener didn’t necessarily suggest they would be rampant throughout but did showcase both how difficult they were to see off, as well as showing their attacking potential, although not to the extent that they would have liked.
Herve Renard is known for a defensive style of football but it is style that has brought him success at international level. Taking charge of a Tunisia squad that would have been left bereft after last week and needing to quickly organise them is a very tough task and especially against a Japan side that can discombobulate the best – and so a Japanese victory is the way to go here.
Tunisia vs Japan betting tip: Japan to win
