Japan secured a decisive 4-0 victory over Tunisia in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup, but the match was marred by renewed controversy over the Rising Sun Flag.
On June 21 at 1 p.m. KST, Japan faced Tunisia at the Estadio BBVA in Monterrey, Mexico, in their second match of Group F. Daichi Kamada opened the scoring just four minutes into the first half, followed by two goals from Ayase Ueda at the 31st minute of the first half and the 38th minute of the second half. Junya Ito added another goal in the 69th minute, sealing Japan's victory.
With this win, Japan now has one win and one draw, following their 2-2 tie against the Netherlands in their opening match. In contrast, Tunisia has suffered two consecutive defeats, having lost 5-1 to Sweden prior to the match against Japan.
However, the match was not without its controversies. A flag resembling the Rising Sun Flag was spotted in the stadium, reigniting discussions surrounding its use.
The Rising Sun Flag is often associated with Japan's imperialism and militarism, leading to ongoing objections from countries such as South Korea and China, which were victims of Japan's wartime actions. The use of politically and historically controversial symbols at international sporting events has drawn repeated criticism.
FIFA has previously intervened to prevent the display of the Rising Sun Flag at World Cup matches. During the 2022 Qatar World Cup, security personnel removed a Rising Sun Flag from the Japanese supporters' section. Ahead of the current tournament, similar controversies arose with the appearance of the flag in promotional videos and fan gatherings.
This match against Tunisia was particularly notable as it marked the 1,000th match in World Cup history, a milestone highlighted by FIFA. The sighting of the Rising Sun Flag during such a significant event has raised questions about Japan's fan culture and the management of symbols at international competitions.
Japan will play its final group stage match against Sweden on June 26. Given the ongoing controversy surrounding the Rising Sun Flag, it remains to be seen how FIFA and the tournament organizers will manage the presence and display of such symbols in future matches.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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