World Cup 2026: Japan vs Tunisia Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds supplied by Betway, accurate when published.

Tunisia are up against Japan at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey on Sunday, with the game starting at 06:00 CAT, and the two sides go into this Group F match in completely different spirits. Japan have a point on the board following a hard fought 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, while Sweden thumped Tunisia 5-1 and the North Africans have already replaced their coach. All our World Cup betting tips are waiting in our dedicated section.

Japan

Japan were superb against the Netherlands, coming from behind twice to take a point thanks to goals from Keito Nakamura and Daichi Kamada, so I believe they go into this game full of confidence. Skipper Wataru Endo pulled out injured before the tournament and Ko Itakura has taken the armband, but Hajime Moriyasu can still call on a settled, Europe-based core of Takefusa Kubo, Kamada and Ritsu Doan. Victory would move Japan to four points and put them firmly in control of reaching the last 16. Expect them to own the ball and territory against a brittle side.

Probable Lineup: Suzuki; Watanable, Ito, Taniguchi; Nakumura, Sano, Kamada, Doan; Kubo, Ueda, Maeda.

Tunisia

Tunisia's start could barely have gone worse, shipping five goals to Sweden and watching Sabri Lamouchi get sacked, with Herve Renard brought in on 16 June to calm things down. A new coach might bring a lift in organisation, yet the defensive flaws Sweden exposed won't disappear in a matter of days, and Ellyes Skhiri has an enormous task holding this midfield together. They need a win to keep any serious hope of qualifying, which means pushing players forward and leaving gaps behind. As I see it, that is precisely the type of match Japan love.

Probable Lineup: Dahmen; Valery, Bronn, Talbi, Ben Hamida; Skhiri, Khedira; Abdi, Mejbri, Slimane; Saad.

Japan appear a level above a Tunisia team that keeps conceding and swapped managers just before this game. I see Japan running the match and getting the goals their attacking talent can deliver, while a Tunisia side chasing the game leaves space at the back. My Japan vs Tunisia call: Japan 2 Tunisia 0.

BTTS: No (1.66)

Tunisia scored only once against Sweden and now meet a Japan team that held firm for long periods against the Netherlands. With a fresh coach and almost no time to prepare, I fancy Tunisia to find the final third tough going once more. BTTS: No at 1.66 fits perfectly with a measured Japan win without conceding.