World Cup 2026: Tunisia and Japan line up in 3-4-2-1 under Renard and Moriyasu

For their second match in Group F of the 2026 World Cup, Tunisia and Japan meet at Estadio BBVA on June 21, 2026 at 5:00 a.m. GMT+1. After a heavy defeat against Sweden (1-5), Hervé Renard’s Tunisia are looking for valuable points against an unbeaten Japan side (0-0 against the Netherlands) led by Hajime Moriyasu. This encounter promises to be a strategic one for the remainder of the group stage.

Both teams are lining up in the same 3-4-2-1 system, reflecting a desire to balance defensive solidity with attacking movement. This tactical choice should encourage a midfield battle, with flexible deployment from the midfielders and forwards.

This match is crucial for Tunisia, bottom of the group with zero points and a significant negative goal difference, who must put things right to keep their qualification hopes alive. For a more settled Japan side, the match offers a chance to halt their winless run and take control of this competitive Group F.

The coaches have placed their trust in experienced leaders and promising young players. The team selections are built on a blend of experience and dynamism, with players capable of influencing the course of the match.

Reading Tunisia’s XI

Hervé Renard has opted for a 3-4-2-1 shape featuring Aymen Dahmen in goal, supported by the defensive line of Omar Rekik, Montassar Talbi and Dylan Bronn. Width is provided by Yan Valery and Ali Abdi in midfield, positioned in both defensive and attacking roles.

The heart of the game is run by Ellyes Skhiri and Hannibal Mejbri, two midfielders known for their ability to build play and defend. In attack, Tunisia are relying on Elias Saad, Sebastian Tounekti and Anis Ben Slimane to make the difference, with the latter two operating behind the central striker.

This 3-4-2-1 system allows Renard to increase midfield density while retaining a solid defensive base. The player choices show a desire to balance experience and youth, notably with Mejbri and Skhiri as the engines of Tunisia’s play.

Reading Japan’s XI

Japan are also adopting a 3-4-2-1 under Hajime Moriyasu, with Zion Suzuki in goal. The defence is made up of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ko Itakura and Hiroki Itō, well versed in a system with three centre-backs.

In midfield, the Japanese coach is relying on Kaishu Sano and Daichi Kamada to orchestrate play, flanked by Ritsu Doan and Keito Nakamura, who bring creativity and penetration on the wings. In attack, Junya Ito and Ao Tanaka support focal point Ayase Ueda.

Japan’s formation aims to combine territorial control with well-timed pressing, built on an experienced defensive base and technical attacking players. This system should allow Japan to control the tempo while exploiting spaces to combine in attack.

The starting XIs

Tunisia

System3-4-2-1Head coachHerve Renard

Starters11

1. 16Aymen DahmenGoalkeeper
2. 4Omar RekikDefender
3. 3Montassar TalbiDefender
4. 6Dylan BronnDefender
5. 20Yan ValeryMidfielder
6. 17Ellyes SkhiriMidfielder
7. 10Hannibal MejbriMidfielder
8. 2Ali AbdiMidfielder
9. 8Elias SaadForward
10. 26Sebastian TounektiForward
11. 25Anis Ben SlimaneForward

Substitutes15

• 1Abdelmouhib Chamakh
• 22Sabri Ben Hessen
• 5Adem Arous
• 21Amine Ben Hmida
• 23Moataz Nefati
• 24Raed Chikhaoui
• 7Elias Achouri
• 11Ismael Gharbi
• 15Mohamed Belhadj Mahmoud
• 12Mortadha Ben Ouanes
• 13Rani Khedira
• 9Hazem Mastouri
• 19Firas Chaouat
• 14Khalil Ayari
• 18Rayan Elloumi

Japan

System3-4-2-1Head coachHajime Moriyasu

Starters11

1. 1Zion SuzukiGoalkeeper
2. 22Takehiro TomiyasuDefender
3. 4Ko ItakuraDefender
4. 21Hiroki ItōDefender
5. 10Ritsu DoanMidfielder
6. 24Kaishu SanoMidfielder
7. 15Daichi KamadaMidfielder
8. 13Keito NakamuraMidfielder
9. 14Junya ItoForward
10. 7Ao TanakaForward
11. 18Ayase UedaForward

Substitutes13

• 12Keisuke Osako
• 23Tomoki Hayakawa
• 20Ayumu Seko
• 25Junnosuke Suzuki
• 3Shogo Taniguchi
• 16Tsuyoshi Watanabe
• 2Yukinari Sugawara
• 5Yuto Nagatomo
• 17Yuito Suzuki
• 11Daizen Maeda
• 9Keisuke Goto
• 26Kento Shiogai
• 19Koki Ogawa

Tunisia

First half 34' 0-2 Estadio BBVA

Japan

21/06/2026 05:00 · Group F

Fil du match

1. 4'⚽But - D. Kamada (passe K. Nakamura)Japon, 4e
2. 31'⚽But - A. Ueda (passe K. Itakura)Japon, 31e

Group F schedule

View full schedule

View match details for Netherlands - Japan

14/06 Group F

Netherlands

Finished 2-2 AT&T Stadium

Japan

View match details for Sweden - Tunisia

15/06 Group F

Sweden

Finished 5-1 Estadio BBVA

Tunisia

View match details for Netherlands - Sweden

20/06 Group F

Netherlands

Finished 5-1 NRG Stadium

Sweden

View match details for Tunisia - Japan

21/06 Group F

Tunisia

First half 34' 0-2 Estadio BBVA

Japan

View match details for Japan - Sweden

26/06 Group F

Japan

Upcoming 00:00 AT&T Stadium

Sweden

View match details for Tunisia - Netherlands

26/06 Group F

Tunisia

Upcoming 00:00 Arrowhead Stadium

Netherlands