By Sachit Subba • Football • Mar 21, 2025 03:18 AM • 175 views
Saitama—Japan has officially booked its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It became the first nation to qualify for the global showpiece following a commanding 2-0 victory over Bahrain in the third round of the AFC qualifiers on Thursday.
Under the lights of a buzzing Saitama Stadium, the Samurai Blue delivered a composed performance to extend their dominance in Group C. With 19 points from seven matches, Japan sits comfortably atop the table, underlining its regional supremacy and securing early passage to the tournament co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo sealed the deal for the home side. Kamada broke the deadlock in the 66th minute with a deft finish that ignited the home crowd before Kubo put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute with a clinical strike to cap off a near-flawless night for Hajime Moriyasu's men.
Bahrain, which struggled to contain Japan's relentless pressing and fluid attacking play, remains fifth in the group with just six points from seven outings—far adrift of the qualification race.
This marks Japan's eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, continuing a proud streak that began in 1998. With their place in the 2026 edition now secured, Japan will shift their focus toward fine-tuning their squad for the global stage—and based on current form, they're shaping up as a serious threat.
