Japan has made history by becoming the first nation to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup through qualifiers, after defeating Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama.
Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada and Real Sociedad’s Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half to seal Japan’s progression to the World Cup with three games to spare in the third round of the Asian qualification campaign.
Japan’s qualification is a significant milestone, as they are the first country to achieve this feat through qualifiers. Hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States had already secured their spots in the expanded 48-team tournament.
The Asian Football Confederation has eight guaranteed spots in the World Cup, with an additional place available through inter-continental play-offs. Japan’s qualification marks their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance.
Under the management of Hajime Moriyasu, Japan has been impressive in the qualification campaign, with six wins from six matches in the second round and an unbeaten record in the third round, with six wins and a draw.
The team’s starting lineup against Bahrain included notable players such as Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, and Takumi Minamino, who won the Premier League with Liverpool in 2020.
Japan’s victory leaves second-placed Australia, who beat Indonesia 5-1, nine points adrift. European qualification is set to begin this week, with England and Wales among the teams in action.
