Thrashed by Sweden (1-5) in their opener, Tunisia take on Japan this Sunday 21 June with a brand-new head coach, Hervé Renard, and no margin for error. At the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, the Carthage Eagles are already fighting for their Group F survival at the 2026 World Cup.
Rarely has an African nation been rocked so early in a World Cup. In the wake of the heavy defeat to Sweden, the Tunisian Federation sacked Sabri Lamouchi and handed the reins to Hervé Renard, a familiar face in African football after spells with Morocco and Saudi Arabia. The Frenchman, initially set to coach Saudi Arabia at this tournament, jumped on the first flight to Mexico to take charge. It is a rare mid-tournament switch that has thrust Tunisia back into the continental spotlight.
On the pitch, the task is steep. Japan, who held the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw on matchday one, are clear favourites, with bookmakers giving the Samurai Blue a 63% chance of victory against just 13% for the Eagles. Yet Renard knows how to fire up African sides, having lifted two Africa Cup of Nations titles. With key men such as Ellyes Skhiri and Hannibal Mejbri, Tunisia have the tools to restore pride. A win would change everything; another defeat could end their campaign.