Japan has made history by becoming the first nation, aside from host countries, to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, following a 2-0 win over Bahrain. The match, held at Saitama Stadium, saw Japan initially struggle to break the deadlock but eventually secured victory with goals by Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo. This victory means their remaining qualifiers against Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Indonesia are now irrelevant. Coach Hajime Moriyasu faces choices on player selection, while Japan looks to build on their previous World Cup successes from recent decades.
Japan became the first non-host nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-0 win against Bahrain, securing their spot with three games to spare.
The Samurai Blue triumphed over Bahrain despite a challenging first half, eventually securing their World Cup qualification with two second-half goals from Kamada and Kubo.
Coach Hajime Moriyasu faces decisions on whether to experiment with new players in remaining matches or focus on his strongest team, particularly regarding player fitness.
Japan has consistently performed well in the World Cup, reaching the round of 16 in three of the five tournaments this century, showcasing their growth.
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