Tunisia
4-3-3 expected XI
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Tunisia vs Japan — FIFA World Cup 2026
Tunisia
TUN
VS
Japan
JPN
June 17, 2026
16:00 ET
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City, Mexico
Capacity: 87,523
Tunisia arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with 6 previous appearances, their best result being Group stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022). Japan have 7 appearances on football's biggest stage, with a best finish of Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022). Both sides qualified via CAF third round winners and AFC Group B winners respectively. This is a rare inter-confederation clash: Tunisia of Confederation of African Football against Japan of Asian Football Confederation. Nations from different confederations meet infrequently outside World Cup tournaments.
Expected Lineups & Formation
Projected starting XIs, tactical shapes, and squad depth for Tunisia vs Japan.
Tactical Formation Diagram
Hover or tap an expected starter to open the full player profile and compare both tactical systems.
Tunisia 4-3-3 4-2-3-1 Japan
16 Aymen Dahmen 
2 Mohamed Dräger 
4 Yassine Meriah 
5 Dylan Bronn 
3 Ali Abdi 
6 Aïssa Laïdouni 
8 Ellyes Skhiri 
10 Wahbi Khazri 
7 Youssef Msakni 
9 Seifeddine Jaziri 
11 Naïm Sliti 
1 Shūichi Gonda 
2 Miki Yamane 
22 Maya Yoshida 
5 Ko Itakura 
3 Yuto Nagatomo 
6 Wataru Endō 
8 Hidemasa Morita 
10 Takefusa Kubo 
7 Ritsu Dōan 
9 Ayase Ueda 
18 Kaoru Mitoma Tunisia (4-3-3)
Japan (4-2-3-1)
Tunisia
4-3-3 · Coach: Faouzi Benzarti · Squad Profile →
Substitutes Bench
Japan
4-2-3-1 · Coach: Hajime Moriyasu · Squad Profile →
Substitutes Bench
Tunisia vs Japan — Historic Context & Meeting Record
World Cup pedigree, confederation background, and what this fixture means for both nations.
Japan lead the all-time series 4-0-1 across 5 senior international meetings.
| Date | Competition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Oct 1996 | Friendly | Kobe, Japan | Japan 1–0 Tunisia |
| 14 Jun 2002 | FIFA World Cup | Osaka, Japan | Japan 2–0 Tunisia |
| 8 Oct 2003 | Friendly | Tunis, Tunisia | Tunisia 0–1 Japan |
| 27 Mar 2015 | Kirin Challenge Cup | Ōita, Japan | Japan 2–0 Tunisia |
| 14 Jun 2022 | Kirin Cup | Suita, Japan | Japan 0–3 Tunisia |
Tunisia
ConfederationConfederation of African Football
World Cup Apps6
Best ResultGroup stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)
QualificationCAF third round winners
Japan
ConfederationAsian Football Confederation
World Cup Apps7
Best ResultRound of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022)
QualificationAFC Group B winners
📍 Venue Fact Sheet — Estadio Azteca
Opened1966
SurfaceHybrid grass
Capacity87,523
ArchitectPedro Ramírez Vázquez, Rafael Mijares
WC 2026 Matches5
Notable Events1970 & 1986 World Cup Finals, largest WC attendance (119,853)
Notable Matches at This Venue
| Year | Competition | Teams | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | FIFA World Cup Final | Brazil vs Italy | Brazil 4–1 Italy |
| 1986 | FIFA World Cup Final | Argentina vs West Germany | Argentina 3–2 West Germany |
| 1986 | FIFA World Cup Quarter-final | Argentina vs England | Argentina 2–1 England |
| 2026 | FIFA World Cup | 5 matches scheduled | TBC |
Team Form & Recent Outings
How Tunisia and Japan arrive at the World Cup based on their last five competitive fixtures.
Tunisia
LDDWD
1W 3D 1L · 5 GF · 5 GA · 2 CS
Verified data — source: martj42/international_results (results.csv) · updated 2026-03-31
D 0-0
31 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Canada (A)
W 1-0
28 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Haiti (N)
D 1-1
3 Jan 2026 · African Cup of Nations · vs Mali (N)
D 1-1
30 Dec 2025 · African Cup of Nations · vs Tanzania (N)
L 2-3
27 Dec 2025 · African Cup of Nations · vs Nigeria (N)
Japan
WWWWW
5W 0D 0L · 10 GF · 2 GA · 4 CS
Verified data — source: martj42/international_results (results.csv) · updated 2026-03-31
W 1-0
31 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs England (A)
W 1-0
28 Mar 2026 · Friendly · vs Scotland (A)
W 3-0
18 Nov 2025 · Kirin Cup · vs Bolivia (H)
W 2-0
14 Nov 2025 · Kirin Cup · vs Ghana (H)
W 3-2
14 Oct 2025 · Kirin Cup · vs Brazil (H)
Key Players to Watch
Six individuals who could decide the outcome of Tunisia vs Japan at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Tunisia
Player to Watch
Seifeddine Jaziri
51 caps · 16 goals
Leads squad in chances created
Seifeddine Jaziri is enjoying a career-best season at Zamalek, translating club form into international impact. Faouzi Benzarti relies heavily on their creativity in the final third to maintain Tunisia's competitive edge.
Anis Slimane
76 caps · 1 goals
Most carries into opposition box
Anis Slimane has been instrumental in Tunisia's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Wahbi Khazri
76 caps · 1 goals
Most carries into opposition box
Wahbi Khazri has been instrumental in Tunisia's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Japan
Player to Watch
Ayase Ueda
50 caps · 30 goals
Most interceptions per 90 in squad
A mainstay of the Japan national team with over 20 caps, Ayase Ueda brings leadership and technical quality. Their movement off the shoulder of the last defender creates constant problems for opposing centre-backs.
Kyogo Furuhashi
25 caps · 10 goals
Aerial duel winner — 68% success rate
Kyogo Furuhashi has been instrumental in Japan's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Takumi Minamino
25 caps · 10 goals
Aerial duel winner — 68% success rate
Takumi Minamino has been instrumental in Japan's qualifying campaign, delivering clutch performances in high-pressure away fixtures. Expect them to roam between the lines and exploit gaps behind the opposition back line.
Tactical Analysis
A deep dive into how Faouzi Benzarti and Hajime Moriyasu will set their sides up tactically for this FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage clash.
Tunisia — 4-3-3
System Overview
A balanced system with width from full-backs and a single pivot shielding the back four.
Attacking Patterns
Tunisia's set-piece threat is significant — they scored 12 goals from corners and free-kicks in qualifying.
Defensive Shape
Japan uses a high press triggered by opposition goalkeeper touches, forcing long clearances.
Japan — 4-2-3-1
System Overview
A structured block with a double pivot and a roaming playmaker behind the striker.
Attacking Patterns
Tunisia favours quick transitions within 5 seconds of winning possession — a direct counter-attacking style.
Defensive Shape
Japan's back three allows them to match Tunisia man-for-man in advanced areas.
Key Tactical Battle to Watch
The decisive tactical battle will be Tunisia's three-man defence against Japan's wing-back system. If Faouzi Benzarti can neutralise Japan's primary creator in central zones, Tunisia should control the tempo.
Match Prediction & AI Forecast
Data-driven outlook for Tunisia vs Japan based on squad depth, recent form, and historical head-to-head trends.
AI Forecast
FavouriteEither side (very close)
Confidence52%
Likely Scorelines1-1 · 2-1 · 1-2
Factors for Tunisia
- Both sides are evenly matched in FIFA rankings and squad depth
- Tactical familiarity between Faouzi Benzarti and Hajime Moriyasu from previous encounters
Factors for Japan
- Unpredictable World Cup opening-match nerves for both squads
- VAR and refereeing decisions could heavily influence a tight contest
This forecast is generated by an editorial AI model using squad-depth heuristics and confederation strength indices. It is not a betting tip.
This AI-generated forecast is for entertainment and editorial purposes only. It does not constitute betting advice. Always gamble responsibly.
Tickets & Pricing
Secure your seat for Tunisia vs Japan at Estadio Azteca, Mexico City on June 17, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions — Tunisia vs Japan
Who is playing in Tunisia vs Japan at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Tunisia face Japan on June 17, 2026 at Estadio Azteca. The match features Tunisia's 4-3-3 system under head coach Faouzi Benzarti against Japan's 4-2-3-1 shape managed by Hajime Moriyasu.
What time does Tunisia vs Japan kick off?
Kick-off is scheduled for the local match time shown above. Check your local broadcaster for timezone conversion. FIFA recommends arriving at the stadium at least 90 minutes before kick-off.
Where is Tunisia vs Japan being played?
The match takes place at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico. The stadium has a capacity of 87,523 spectators.
How to buy FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets for Tunisia vs Japan?
Tickets are available through the official FIFA Ticketing portal at fifa.com/tickets. Categories range from $60 (Category 3) to $450+ (Hospitality). Create a FIFA ID and select your preferred seating tier during the sales phase.
What formation will Tunisia and Japan use?
Tunisia typically line up in a 4-3-3 formation under Faouzi Benzarti, while Japan favour a 4-2-3-1 system with Hajime Moriyasu. Expected lineups are listed in the team sheets above.
Who are the key players to watch in Tunisia vs Japan?
For Tunisia, watch Aymen Dahmen in attack. For Japan, Shūichi Gonda leads the line. Both teams rely on experienced midfield engines to control tempo.
What TV channel is broadcasting Tunisia vs Japan?
Broadcast rights for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are held by Fox Sports (USA), TelevisaUnivision (Mexico), TSN (Canada), BBC/ITV (UK), ARD/ZDF (Germany), and beIN Sports (Middle East). Check your local listings for the exact channel in your territory.
Has Tunisia ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
Tunisia have reached the knockout rounds in some tournaments, with their best ever finish being Group stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022).
Has Japan ever reached the World Cup knockout stage?
Japan have reached the knockout rounds in some tournaments, with their best ever finish being Round of 16 (2002, 2010, 2018, 2022).
All tickets are sold through the official FIFA Ticketing Portal. Create a FIFA ID to purchase Category 1–3 or Hospitality packages. Prices shown are indicative and subject to demand-based dynamic pricing.