Tunisia have been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after failing to secure a win in Group F, becoming the third team overall and the first African side to exit the tournament. The Carthage Eagles suffered a crushing 4-0 defeat to Japan at Estadio Monterrey in Guadalupe, Mexico, on Sunday, June 21, 2026.
Japan Dominates in Historic Match
Japan celebrated their 1,000th international match in emphatic style, handing Tunisia a comprehensive loss. The Blue Samurai took an early lead in the fourth minute when Daichi Kamada scored from close range after a setup by Keito Nakamura. Japan dominated the first half, with Tunisia struggling both physically and tactically to contain their opponents.
Ayase Ueda doubled Japan's advantage in the 30th minute, finishing a swift counterattack after being assisted by Ko Itakura, giving his side a 2-0 lead at halftime. Tunisia attempted to mount a response after the break, but Hannibal Mejbri squandered a clear opportunity in the 49th minute.
Second-Half Collapse
Japan extended their lead in the 69th minute when Junya Ito drilled a low shot into the bottom corner, beating goalkeeper Aymen Dahmen, who made several saves to prevent an even heavier defeat. Ueda completed his brace in the 83rd minute, heading home a cross from Kaishu Sano to seal a 4-0 victory. The result compounded Tunisia's misery after their opening defeat to Sweden, which led to the dismissal of head coach Sabri Lamouchi.
Financial Compensation for Early Exit
Despite their early exit, Tunisia will receive a significant financial reward from FIFA under the expanded prize-money structure for the 2026 World Cup. Every qualified nation was awarded $1.5 million to cover preparation and participation costs. Additionally, the 16 teams eliminated during the group stage will each receive $9 million in prize money.
As a result, Tunisia are set to earn a total of $10.5 million from their participation in the tournament, despite failing to progress to the knockout rounds. According to Dare Kuti, a CAVB-accredited journalist and Sports Editor at Legit.ng, the payout underscores FIFA's commitment to supporting all participating nations financially.
