{"id":3498,"date":"2026-06-16T20:30:57","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T00:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/ca\/?post_type=news&p=3498"},"modified":"2026-06-16T20:32:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T00:32:15","slug":"match-preview-tunisia-vs-japan-06-21-26-world-cup-2026","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/ca\/news\/world-cup\/match-preview-tunisia-vs-japan-06-21-26-world-cup-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Tunisia vs Japan: Predictions, Picks, Odds & Stats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tunisia and Japan kick off the Sunday Group E slate at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on Sunday, June 21 at 12:00 AM ET \u2014 late Saturday night for Canadian viewers \u2014 with both sides arriving from very different matchday-one performances.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

Japan came out of their 2-2 draw with Netherlands at AT&T Stadium as the more impressive of the two sides in stretches. Tunisia, meanwhile, were torn apart 5-1 by Sweden at this very stadium and arrive with their tournament hanging by a thread in Group E<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Japan can take a huge step toward the round of 32 with three points here, knowing Netherlands and Sweden are still to come. Tunisia have to win or face mathematical elimination after matchday two \u2014 a steep ask against opponents who pressed Netherlands with real intensity.<\/p>\n\n

bet365 prices Japan at -188 to win, the draw at +280 and Tunisia long out at +650. The line reflects the matchday-one performance gap and the squad-quality edge Japan carry through the spine of the side.<\/p>\n\n

Tunisia vs Japan: Best Bets & Predictions<\/h2>\n\n

Japan are the right lean and the goal markets stack with that view rather than against it.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n\n\n
Our Prediction<\/th>Odds & Sportsbook<\/th>Confidence<\/th>Why We’re Backing It<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Match Result: Japan<\/td>-188 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Japan looked sharper than Netherlands in stretches of their 2-2 draw and the gap in technical quality to a Tunisia side that just shipped five is wide. Pressing structure should suffocate Tunisia’s build.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Koki Ogawa Anytime Goalscorer<\/td>+137 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Ogawa is bet365’s joint shortest-priced Japan scorer alongside Machino. He carries the central penalty-box presence Japan need against a back five that lost shape early under Sweden’s pressure.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Total Goals: Over 2.5<\/td>+110 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Tunisia leaked five last out and Japan scored twice against a far stronger Netherlands. The under has been priced cautiously by bet365 but the data points the other way at plus money.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Shuto Machino Anytime Goalscorer<\/td>+137 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Machino splits Japan’s scorer market with Ogawa and offers manager Hajime Moriyasu a rotation option that brings energy late. Cover both at the same price for double exposure to the favoured route in.<\/td><\/tr>\n
Both Teams To Score: No<\/td>-163 @ bet365<\/strong><\/a><\/td>\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>Tunisia were poor going forward against Sweden and only scored from a set piece. Japan’s pressing structure and back four should keep this side of the disclaimer line.<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

Our approach: Japan to win, paired with Ogawa or Machino for the player-prop angle and Over 2.5 Goals as a value side.<\/p>\n\n

19+ (18+ in AB\/MB\/QC). Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change. Please play responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Group E \u2014 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/h2>\n\n

Sweden<\/a> top Group E with maximum points and a +4 goal-difference cushion. Netherlands<\/a> sit level with Japan on a point each after their 2-2 draw. For the full bracket and group breakdown, see our World Cup 2026 hub<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n\n\n
Team<\/th>Pos<\/th>GP<\/th>W<\/th>D<\/th>L<\/th>GF<\/th>GA<\/th>GD<\/th>Pts<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\n
Sweden<\/td>1<\/td>1<\/td>1<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>5<\/td>1<\/td>+4<\/td>3<\/td><\/tr>\n
Netherlands<\/td>2<\/td>1<\/td>0<\/td>1<\/td>0<\/td>2<\/td>2<\/td>0<\/td>1<\/td><\/tr>\n
Japan<\/td>3<\/td>1<\/td>0<\/td>1<\/td>0<\/td>2<\/td>2<\/td>0<\/td>1<\/td><\/tr>\n
Tunisia<\/td>4<\/td>1<\/td>0<\/td>0<\/td>1<\/td>1<\/td>5<\/td>-4<\/td>0<\/td><\/tr>\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n\n