Tunisia's New Coach Looks to Cape Verde's Upset as Inspiration for Japan Clash

MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) — As Tunisia prepares for its pivotal World Cup match against Japan, new head coach Hervé Renard is turning to the surprising success of Cape Verde for motivation. Following a disappointing 5-1 defeat against Sweden in their opening game, Renard has been tasked with steering the North African team towards a potential spot in the knockout stages, a feat they have yet to achieve in their seven World Cup appearances.

Renard cited Cape Verde's remarkable 0-0 draw with European champions Spain as a source of encouragement, stating, “When you are organized and together, you are able to compete. We have to follow this example and not be scared of defeat.” The 57-year-old coach, who has experience from two previous World Cups with Morocco and Saudi Arabia, emphasized the necessity of earning at least a point against Japan to keep Tunisia's hopes alive.

Ranked 17th in the world by FIFA, Japan is significantly ahead of Tunisia, which sits at 54th. The Samurai Blue come into the match with a strong record, having not lost since their friendly defeat against the U.S. on September 9, 2025. Renard, appointed in the wake of the loss to Sweden, has had limited time to prepare, but he is optimistic about the players' mindset.

“I’ve met with an open-minded group,” Renard expressed. “They want their revenge. We know that we must go above and beyond against this Japanese team.” Japan's head coach Hajime Moriyasu acknowledged the potential for a different performance from Tunisia, noting, “Renard will bring out the best in the players.” Moriyasu anticipates a transformed squad compared to the one that faced Sweden.

Renard, known for his passionate team talks, gained notoriety for a stirring halftime speech during Saudi Arabia's stunning comeback against Argentina in 2022. Despite his reputation, he humbly stated, “I am no wizard. The coach is not the key; the key is the players.”