Tunisia became the third team eliminated from the 2026 World Cup on Sunday, losing to Japan 4 to 0 in Guadalupe to join Haiti and Turkiye on the way out.
The defeat at Estadio Monterrey left Tunisia without a point after two Group F matches, following a 5 to 1 loss to Sweden on June 15. Their final group game, against the Netherlands on June 25, no longer carries any qualification stakes.
Haiti and Turkiye were eliminated days earlier under similar circumstances. Haiti lost 1 to 0 to Scotland on June 14 before falling 3 to 0 to Brazil on June 20, leaving Morocco as its remaining opponent on June 24 in Group C. Turkiye lost 2 to 0 to Australia on June 14 and 1 to 0 to Paraguay on June 20, with the United States left to play on June 26.
The early exits reflect the mechanics of this year’s expanded format, the first World Cup with 48 teams. Twelve groups of four send their top two finishers directly to the Round of 32, joined by the eight best third place teams across the tournament. A winless record through two matches leaves too large a gap to close against group rivals who have already banked points, which is why all three teams are out with a match still to play.
Tunisia’s exit was the heaviest on goal difference of the three, having conceded nine goals across two matches while scoring once. Haiti and Turkiye managed to avoid scoring altogether, conceding four and three goals respectively. All three sides now play their remaining group fixtures for pride rather than position.
