Tunisia - Japan / 2026 FIFA World Cup

Follow the LIVE broadcast of the Tunisia vs. Japan match in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on ŠPORT.sk! The match, which can also be watched live on JOJ play, kicks off at 06:00 AM.

Just one ninety-minute game in the tournament was enough to trigger a complete upheaval within the Tunisian national team. While Japan enters this clash as a psychologically resilient squad, the African side resembles a shattered mosaic after their opening Group F fixture. The local football federation took a drastic step rarely seen at World Cups: following a devastating 1-5 defeat to Sweden, coach Sabri Lamouchi was immediately shown the door. Renowned "savior" Hervé Renard has now stepped into the hot seat.

The French tactician, famous for Saudi Arabia's sensational triumph over Argentina at the 2022 World Cup, faces a monumental challenge with minimal time. Tunisia, who kept a clean sheet for ten matches throughout their entire qualification campaign, is in freefall. Sweden tore their five-man defensive experiment to shreds. The midfield was virtually nonexistent, and goalkeeper Abdelmouhib Chamakh completed the disaster. He recorded only two meager saves and should have undoubtedly performed better on several goals conceded.

Renard's first move is therefore quite predictable: a return to a proven four-man defense and likely a change in goalkeeper. However, Tunisia's problem isn't just the thrashing from the Swedes. Their overall poor form has been ongoing – they've lost their last three outings with a dismal goal difference of 1-11, which includes a heavy 0-5 pre-tournament defeat to Belgium. The team faces the threat of an early exit in just the second round and needs to secure points at virtually any cost.

Precisely the opposite emotions are sweeping through the Japanese dressing room. Coach Hajime Moriyasu's squad confirmed their reputation as the tournament's biggest "dark horse" in their opening blockbuster. They erased a two-goal deficit against favored Netherlands, drawing 2-2, clearly demonstrating their tactical and mental prowess. Daichi Kamada was the main orchestrator of the Asian offense, his contribution culminating in a hand in the crucial equalizer late in the game. It's no secret that the Japanese can trouble giants – they are undefeated this calendar year, having secured valuable scalps against Brazil (3-2) and England (1-0).

However, the Land of the Rising Sun is dealing with one particularly unfortunate loss. Takefusa Kubo's tournament has ended prematurely due to a knee injury, ruling him out of the group stage. The creative gem will be sorely missed in the attacking third, but Japan's playing philosophy isn't built on individual stars. The squad's depth and flawless collective mechanism should absorb this setback.

The clash of these two contrasting moods promises a cautious tactical chess match. Renard's absolute priority will be to solidify the defense and prevent another open game. On the other side will be a team that masterfully operates without the ball, seeking the slightest crack between the lines. If Tunisia, under the pressure of needing points, opens up their play even slightly, Japan's transitional attack will punish them relentlessly.

While a three-point haul would significantly open the door to the knockout stage for the Asian representative, the Africans are playing with a knife to their throat. Although a coaching change often provides a temporary psychological boost, the current gap in form is too deep. A compact and organized Japan, bolstered by confidence, will not let this opportunity slip away.