Both sides enter this World Cup 2026 group stage fixture on June 21 carrying contrasting results from matchday one. Tunisia suffered a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden on June 14, while Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands on the same day, making this encounter critical for both teams’ progression.
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Tunisia Predicted Lineup
Abdelmouhib Chamakh keeps his place in goal. The back four is expected to read Yan Valery, Omar Rekik, Montassar Talbi, and Amine Ben Hmida. Ali Abdi, Rani Khedira, and Ellyes Skhiri form the midfield block, with Hannibal Mejbri operating in the attacking third. Elias Saad and Anis Slimane complete the XI up front.
Against Sweden, Rekik scored in the 43rd minute — the only positive from that outing. Khedira was substituted at 54 minutes, with multiple changes arriving at 72 and 83-84 minutes as the scoreline deteriorated. Mohamed Achouri, Sebastian Tounekti, and M. Belhaj Mahmoud came off the bench at the 72nd minute, Ismaël Gharbi at 83, and Firas Chaouat at 84.
| # | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Abdelmouhib Chamakh |
| 20 | Yan Valery |
| 4 | Omar Rekik |
| 3 | Montassar Talbi |
| 21 | Amine Ben Hmida |
| 2 | Ali Abdi |
| 13 | Rani Khedira |
| 17 | Ellyes Skhiri |
| 10 | Hannibal Mejbri |
| 8 | Elias Saad |
| 25 | Anis Slimane |
Tunisia Bench
- 5 — Adam Arous
- 6 — Dylan Bronn
- 7 — Mohamed Achouri
- 9 — Hazem Mastouri
- 11 — Ismaël Gharbi
- 12 — M. Ben Ouannes
- 14 — K. Ayari
- 15 — M. Belhaj Mahmoud
- 16 — Aymen Dahmen
- 18 — Rayan Elloumi
- 19 — Firas Chaouat
- 22 — Sabri Ben Hsan
- 23 — Moutaz Neffati
- 24 — Raed Chikhaoui
- 26 — Sebastian Tounekti
Japan Predicted Lineup
Zion Suzuki starts in goal. The defensive line is set to feature Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Shogo Taniguchi, Hiroki Ito, and Ritsu Doan. Kaishu Sano anchors the midfield alongside Daichi Kamada and Keito Nakamura. Takefusa Kubo, Daizen Maeda, and Ayase Ueda lead the attack.
Nakamura scored at 57 minutes and Kamada added a late goal at 88 minutes in the draw with Netherlands. Maeda was replaced at 66 minutes by Junya Ito, while Watanabe, Doan, Kubo, and Koki Ogawa came on at 75 minutes. Ueda was substituted at 84 minutes. The depth available — including Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ao Tanaka, and Yuto Nagatomo on the bench — gives Japan genuine tactical options across all positions.
| # | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Zion Suzuki |
| 16 | Tsuyoshi Watanabe |
| 3 | Shogo Taniguchi |
| 21 | Hiroki Ito |
| 10 | Ritsu Doan |
| 24 | Kaishu Sano |
| 15 | Daichi Kamada |
| 13 | Keito Nakamura |
| 8 | Takefusa Kubo |
| 11 | Daizen Maeda |
| 18 | Ayase Ueda |
Japan Bench
- 2 — Yukinari Sugawara
- 4 — Ko Itakura
- 5 — Yuto Nagatomo
- 6 — Shuto Machino
- 7 — Ao Tanaka
- 9 — Keisuke Goto
- 12 — Keisuke Osako
- 14 — Junya Ito
- 17 — Yuito Suzuki
- 19 — Koki Ogawa
- 20 — Ayumu Seko
- 22 — Takehiro Tomiyasu
- 23 — Tomoki Hayakawa
- 25 — Junnosuke Suzuki
- 26 — Kento Shiogai
Read also: Tunisia vs Japan Betting Odds
Read also: Tunisia vs Japan Prediction: 21.06.2026 World Cup
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Read also: Japan 2026 World Cup Preview – Squad, Odds, Prediction & Best Bets
Read also: 2026 World Cup Group F Preview: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden & Tunisia – Predictions, Odds & Best Bets
With Tunisia needing a result after their 5-1 opening loss and Japan looking to convert a draw into a win, this fixture carries serious group-stage weight. Stay on TipsGG for full match coverage, odds analysis, and live updates.