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Japan v Tunisia marks 1,000th World Cup match, FIFA says

Channel News Asia Friday 19 June 2026, 19:59 UTC 1 min read
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Japan v Tunisia marks 1,000th World Cup match, FIFA says NEW YORK, June 19 : Japan and Tunisia will meet on Saturday in the 1,000th soccer World Cup match, FIFA said, with the Group F game at Monterrey Stadium serving as each side's second fixture at the expanded 48-team tournament. Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in their opener in Dallas, while Tunisia lost 5-1 to Sweden, also in Monterrey, ahead of the milestone meeting. • A record 209 teams began qualifying for this tournament,...

Japan v Tunisia marks 1,000th World Cup match, FIFA says NEW YORK, June 19 : Japan and Tunisia will meet on Saturday in the 1,000th soccer World Cup match, FIFA said, with the Group F game at Monterrey Stadium serving as each side's second fixture at the expanded 48-team tournament. Japan drew 2-2 with the Netherlands in their opener in Dallas, while Tunisia lost 5-1 to Sweden, also in Monterrey, ahead of the milestone meeting. • A record 209 teams began qualifying for this tournament, compared with 13 entrants at the first World Cup in 1930. • Africa and Asia received a combined 17 direct qualifying slots plus two playoff places. • FIFA granted Oceania a direct World Cup berth for the first time. • The FIFA Forward programme has channelled more than $5 billion into domestic and regional football development since its 2016 launch. • Tunisia are competing in their third consecutive World Cup. • "Being able to take part in the 1,000th World Cup match is truly symbolic," said Tunisia midfielder and captain Ellyes Skhiri.
Japan (LOCATION) Tunisia (LOCATION) World Cup (EVENT) FIFA (ORG) NEW YORK (LOCATION) Group (ORG) Monterrey Stadium (LOCATION) Netherlands (LOCATION) Dallas (LOCATION) Sweden (LOCATION) Monterrey (LOCATION) • Africa (LOCATION) Asia (LOCATION) Oceania (LOCATION) FIFA Forward (ORG)
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