Japan seeks first victory amid opponent's turmoil: prediction for Tunisia vs Japan - 21.06.2026
Tunisia and Japan will face off early Sunday morning at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey as part of the second round of the 2026 World Cup group stage. The Japanese side enters the match after a hard-fought draw with the Netherlands and looks like a team with a clear game plan, while Tunisia is struggling through a sharp crisis following a heavy defeat to Sweden and a sudden head coach change.
Tunisia: new coach, old problems, and an urgent attempt at a reset
The World Cup opener was a true shock for Tunisia. The team suffered a 1-5 thrashing by Sweden - their heaviest ever World Cup defeat - and Sabri Lamouchi was dismissed the very next day. This marks the sixth coaching change for the national team in just two and a half years, but a sacking after the first round of a World Cup is especially dramatic.
The man tasked with saving the campaign is now Hervé Renard, who left Saudi Arabia's national team earlier this year but finds himself at his third consecutive World Cup. Tunisia is expected to abandon the unsuccessful 5-4-1 setup and return to the more familiar 4-2-3-1. In this scenario, Mohamed Ben Hamida could play as left-back, Mohamed Belhadj may anchor midfield, and Elias Achouri is likely to operate on the attacking flank.
Japan: resilience, tempo, and a knack for late drama
Japan opened the tournament with a draw against the Netherlands, coming from behind twice under Hajime Moriyasu’s guidance to get back in the game. Their late equalizer was no fluke, but the result of sustained pressure as the Samurai Blue cranked up the intensity in the closing stages. Their six-match winning streak came to an end, but their unbeaten run has now reached eight games.
The only major concern is the condition of Takefusa Kubo, who picked up an injury in the opener and left the stadium in a wheelchair. Japan is unlikely to risk one of their key players, so Junya Ito - who made an impact off the bench against the Dutch - could start instead. Despite this, Japan remains a flexible side: capable of rescuing points in tough scenarios, calmly protecting a lead, and often keeping clean sheets when it matters.
Probable lineups
- Tunisia: Chamah, Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida, Talbi, Rekik, Valery, Skhiri, Belhadj Mahmoud, Achouri, Mejbri, Saad, Slimane.
- Japan: Suzuki, Watanabe, Taniguchi, Ito, Doan, Sano, Kamada, Nakamura, Ito, Maeda, Ueda.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Tunisia suffered a 1-5 defeat to Sweden in their first match of the 2026 World Cup.
- Japan started the tournament with a draw against the Netherlands and are unbeaten in their last eight games.
- Five of Tunisia's last seven matches and three of Japan's last four games have featured no more than two goals.
The Samurai look far more stable: prediction for Tunisia vs Japan
Tunisia's main problem isn’t just the score from their opener, but the team’s overall condition. The heavy defeat to Sweden, talk of a lost dressing room, a sudden coaching change, and tactical reshuffles—there are simply too many issues to fix in just a few days. Renard can quickly instill discipline, but it’s unlikely he’ll restore the squad’s confidence or solve their defensive woes overnight.
Japan, on the other hand, looks organized and mentally tough. Moriyasu’s squad has already shown they don’t crumble under pressure, can step up as games progress, and consistently deliver strong finishes. Even the possible absence of Kubo shouldn’t disrupt their structure - especially given the turmoil in the opposing camp.
