Tunisia and Japan will both be looking to get their first wins of the 2026 World Cup when they face off on Sunday at 5am (UK time).
It’s the start of a new era for Tunisia, with Sabri Lamouchi sacked following their opening 5-1 defeat to Sweden. It was their biggest-ever defeat in World Cup history, and the continuation of a poor run of form. Herve Renard has stepped in to manage for the rest of the tournament, at the very least.
Japan took a point from their opening game against the Netherlands but had to come from behind twice to avoid defeat. Keito Nakamura and Daichi Kamada were the goalscorers for Japan, who are looking to make the knockout stages for the third successive World Cup.
This will be the seventh game between these two sides and it’s been a one-sided fixture. Japan have won five of the six meetings so far, with an aggregate score of 8-3.
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Tunisia vs Japan team news
Tunisia team news
There’s a case of uncertainty surrounding Tunisia’s team right now. Fans will be wondering what changes Renard will make, and how many. He favours a back four but is likely to stick with the three-man central defence, given the little time he has had with Tunisia. Renard is unlikely to make any changes to the defence too, only to make it more secure in the system.
Yan Valery and Ali Abdi may continue as the wing-backs but they could be more defensive, playing deeper alongside the back thre. Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida, Omar Rekik and Montassar Talbi are expected to continue as the centre-backs, with Abdelmouhib Chamakh in goal.
There could be a change in midfield, though, with Ismael Gharbi coming in to replace Hannibal Mejbri to provide more of a threat on the break. Rani Khedira and Ellyes Skhiri will continue alongside Gharbi. Up front, Elias Saad could be pushed out to the wing with Gharbi on the other wise. Anis Ben Slimane may drop out for Firas Chaouat up front.
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Japan team news
Hajime Moriyasu had a decision to make in Japan’s first game following the injury to Wataru Endo. Daichi Kamada and Kaishu Sano were the central midfield pairing, and that partnership is likely to continue against Tunisia. They’ll be flanked by Ritsu Doan and Keito Nakamura, who will provide the width from their wing-back roles. But they will be very attacking.
Daizen Maeda and Takefusa Kubo should both continue as the more narrow attackers, providing support for Ayase Ueda. The Eredivisie striker did not score against the Netherlands, but he’ll be looking to open his World Cup account here after an excellent season.
At the other end of the pitch, there’s no need to change things either. So Japan are likely to name the same starting XI, which they’ll think more than good enough to get past an out-of-sorts Tunisia. Zion Suzuki will start in goal, with Shogo Taniguchi, Tsuyoshi Watanabe and Hiroki Ito the centre-backs.
Tunisia vs Japan predicted lineups
Tunisia (5-2-3): Chamakh; Valery, Ben Hamida, Rekik, Talbi, Abdi; Khedira, Skhiri; Saad, Chaouat, Gharbi.
Japan (3-4-2-1): Suzuki; Taniguchi, Watanabe, H Ito; Doan, Sano, Kamada, Nakamura; Kubo, Maeda; Ueda.
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