{"id":15949,"date":"2026-06-21T02:00:45","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T20:30:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=15949"},"modified":"2026-06-21T02:00:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-20T20:30:46","slug":"tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview\/","title":{"rendered":"Tunisia vs Japan: FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Match Preview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Group Stage | Group F |<\/em> <em>Estadio Monterrey |&nbsp; Sunday, 21 June \u2014 9:30 AM (IST)<\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview\/#Match_overview\" title=\"Match overview\">Match overview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview\/#Team_analysis\" title=\"Team analysis\">Team analysis<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview\/#Tunisia\" title=\"Tunisia\">Tunisia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview\/#Japan\" title=\"Japan\">Japan<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview\/#Head-to-head_record\" title=\"Head-to-head record\">Head-to-head record<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview\/#Tactical_preview\" title=\"Tactical preview\">Tactical preview<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview\/#Key_storylines\" title=\"Key storylines\">Key storylines<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tunisia-japan-fifa-world-cup-2026-match-preview\/#Prediction_and_verdict\" title=\"Prediction and verdict\">Prediction and verdict<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Match_overview\"><\/span><strong>Match overview<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One team in crisis, one with momentum. Tunisia lost 5\u20131 to Sweden, sacked Sabri Lamouchi \u2014 the first manager dismissed at the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 after just one game \u2014 and appointed Herv\u00e9 Renard within 48 hours. Japan came from behind twice to draw 2\u20132 with the Netherlands, Daichi Kamada\u2019s 89th-minute header completing one of the early stories of this tournament. Tunisia need a win. Japan want to confirm their credentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Watch the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 live in India on ZEE5. Choose the \u20b9799 quarterly plan or the \u20b91,699 annual plan to stream every match of the tournament.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Team_analysis\"><\/span><strong>Team analysis<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tunisia\"><\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/tunisia\/tunisia-squad\">Tunisia<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 5\u20131 defeat to Sweden was bad enough. Sacking Lamouchi added a layer of chaos to an already shattered dressing room. Herv\u00e9 Renard steps in with almost no preparation time, but he is no stranger to pressure. He managed Morocco at the 2018 World Cup and coached Saudi Arabia to a stunning 2\u20131 win over Argentina in 2022. Whether he can pull off the same transformation in 48 hours is the question. Ellyes Skhiri must lead from the front. Hannibal Mejbri \u2014 Tunisia\u2019s 23-year-old former Manchester United prospect \u2014 needs to deliver. Tunisia\u2019s only goal against Sweden came from defender Omar Rekik \u2014 not the output Renard needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key player: Ellyes Skhiri \u2014 <\/strong>The Eintracht Frankfurt captain is Tunisia\u2019s most reliable performer \u2014 compact, disciplined, and capable of breaking up play before driving forward. He\u2019s the midfield pivot around which the Eagles function. Against Sweden, he worked hard in a losing battle. Against Japan, he needs to control the midfield and limit the space Doan and Kamada will exploit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Japan\"><\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/japan\/japan-squad\">Japan<\/a><\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hajime Moriyasu\u2019s side showed exactly what makes them difficult to play against. Two goals down against the Netherlands with time running out, Japan pulled level through Keito Nakamura\u2019s deflected effort and then Kamada\u2019s extraordinary header from Koki Ogawa\u2019s corner in the 89th minute. That comeback left Japan with a point and real belief. Their pressing is well-drilled, their set-piece delivery is dangerous, and their mental strength is proven. Ritsu Doan \u2014 an inverted right-winger who cuts inside and scores \u2014 is their most dangerous attacker. The absence of Kaoru Mitoma, injured before the tournament, is a blow, but Japan have enough to fill the gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key player: Ritsu Doan \u2014 <\/strong>Twenty-seven years old and playing his best football at Eintracht Frankfurt. Doan changes games: low centre of gravity, fast over five yards, and clinical with his left foot. He scored the equaliser against Germany in 2022 and again against Spain. Against a Tunisia side in disarray, he\u2019s the player most likely to create the defining moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Head-to-head_record\"><\/span><strong>Head-to-head record<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Japan lead the series with four wins from five meetings, never losing a competitive fixture. Their only World Cup encounter came in 2002 \u2014 Japan won 2\u20130 in Osaka. Tunisia\u2019s sole win came in the 2022 Kirin Cup, a friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tactical_preview\"><\/span><strong>Tactical preview<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Renard will ask Tunisia to sit deeper and defend their shape \u2014 his teams live on the counter. But he has had almost no time to implement anything. Moriyasu will look to press high, use Doan and Nakamura to attack Tunisia\u2019s fullbacks, and exploit any structural uncertainty that comes with a side effectively starting again under a new manager. Japan\u2019s set-piece threat is real \u2014 Kamada proved that in Dallas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Key_storylines\"><\/span><strong>Key storylines<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Renard\u2019s 48-hour miracle \u2014 Saudi Arabia\u2019s 2\u20131 win over Argentina in 2022 remains one of the great upsets in FIFA World Cup history, and Renard was the architect. He walked in with a plan and the confidence to make his players believe it. Whether he can do the same in less time, against Japan, is the compelling subplot of Sunday.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Japan\u2019s set-piece menace \u2014 Kamada\u2019s 89th-minute header against the Netherlands wasn\u2019t a fluke. Japan are well-drilled from dead balls, with intelligent runners and precise delivery. Tunisia were vulnerable from set pieces against Sweden. If Japan get into the right positions, the scoreboard will reflect it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mejbri\u2019s moment \u2014 the 23-year-old Burnley midfielder carries Tunisia\u2019s attacking hope. He is the player Renard will look to build the offence around: technical, energetic, and capable of producing the unexpected. The expectations on him are significant, and a poor Matchday 1 has only intensified the pressure. Sunday in Monterrey is where he either steps up or fades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prediction_and_verdict\"><\/span><strong>Prediction and verdict<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Tunisia are in disarray \u2014 a new coach with no preparation time, a shattered squad, and a Japan side that has already shown its resilience. Renard is brilliant, but 48 hours isn\u2019t enough.<strong> <\/strong>Japan<strong> <\/strong>is considerably stronger than Tunisia and should be able to convert this match into a win without any difficulties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>ZEE5 is the official streaming home for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\">FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/a> in India. Tunisia vs Japan kicks off at 9:30 AM IST on 21 June \u2014 check available <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\">ZEE5 FIFA subscription<\/a> plans and stream the match live.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Group Stage | Group F | Estadio Monterrey |&nbsp; Sunday, 21 June \u2014 9:30 AM (IST) Match overview One team in crisis, one with momentum. Tunisia lost 5\u20131 to Sweden, sacked Sabri Lamouchi \u2014 the first manager dismissed at the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 after just one game \u2014 and appointed Herv\u00e9 Renard within 48 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":15950,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3031,3119,3231],"class_list":["post-15949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-group-f","tag-tunisia-vs-japan-match-preview"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400-4-7.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Tunisia vs Japan: FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Match Preview - 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