Tunisia and Japan clash in a World Cup 2026 qualifier that kicks off at 9pm local time, 2pm Australian Eastern, 5am British Summer Time, and midnight Eastern Daylight Time.
Japan manager Moriyasu has made significant adjustments to his squad for the fixture. Tomiyasu and Itakura slot into the back line as the team prepares to deploy its familiar 3-4-3 formation, with Ito and Tanaka entering the attacking third. The absence of Kubo through injury represents a notable loss, compounding absences already created by the sidelined Minamino and Mitoma.
The 3-4-3 structure has become a cornerstone of Moriyasu's tactical approach in recent months. The formation reflects the evolution of Japanese football under his stewardship, transforming a side that once dominated regional competition into one capable of competing on the world stage. That progression will be tested against Tunisia in what shapes as a critical fixture in their path toward qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Author James Rodriguez: "Kubo's injury is a real blow for Japan's creative options, but Moriyasu's system has proven flexible enough to absorb these kinds of personnel losses."
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