Tunisia suffered a second straight World Cup 2026 blow, crushed 4-0 by Japan at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey in a Group F clash that marked the 1,000th match in World Cup history. (ESPN)

Kamada's record-fast opener

Daichi Kamada struck after just four minutes — the fastest goal ever scored by a Japanese player at a World Cup — setting the tone in what was new Tunisia coach Hervé Renard's first match in charge. (Fox Sports)

Ueda's brace and a historic Japanese landmark

Ayase Ueda doubled the lead in the 30th minute and added a second, a header, in the 83rd, either side of Junya Ito's strike in the 69th minute. The 4-0 win made Japan the first Asian team in history to score four goals in a single World Cup match. (Bleacher Report)

A second crisis for the Carthage Eagles

The defeat comes days after a humiliating 1-5 loss to Sweden that cost Sabri Lamouchi his job — the first coach sacked after a single game at a World Cup — and prompted the federation to hand the reins to veteran Hervé Renard. The change brought no immediate improvement: Tunisia have now failed to score in either game and sit bottom of Group F without a point, leaving qualification all but impossible heading into the final round of group matches.

Japan joins the Netherlands at the top

The result lifts Japan to four points, level with the Netherlands atop Group F, underlining the Blue Samurai's status as one of the most dangerous Asian sides at the largest World Cup in history, featuring 48 nations. (FIFA)

A baptism of fire for Renard

Hervé Renard, who has previously guided Zambia, Ivory Coast, Morocco and Saudi Arabia to memorable tournament moments, had almost no time on the training ground before facing a side as well-organised as Japan. The scale of the defeat raises serious questions about Tunisia's defensive structure and mentality at a tournament they entered with genuine ambition after a strong African qualifying campaign.

A near-impossible task ahead

Tunisia now face a near-impossible mathematical task in their final group game, needing a heavy win combined with favourable results elsewhere to have any chance of sneaking through via the expanded format's best-eight-third-place route at this 48-team World Cup. It is a tall order after back-to-back defeats without scoring a single goal.

Follow Malaab Al-An for full coverage of every Arab team's journey through World Cup 2026.