Japan become first team to qualify for 2026 World Cup with victory over Bahrain

Japan secured their situation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, changing into the first nation to qualify after a 2-0 accumulate over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on Thursday.

2d-half targets from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo sealed the victory, guaranteeing Hajime Moriyasu’s facet a top-two end in Community C of the AFC qualifiers. The Samurai Blue devour now licensed for his or her eighth consecutive World Cup.

Kamada, who came off the bench within the 63rd minute, broke the impasse appropriate three minutes later, ending off a transfer that started with Hiroki Ito discovering Ayase Ueda, who then dwelling up Kubo to support Kamada. The Real Sociedad playmaker later assign the extinguish result beyond doubt within the 87th minute, beating Bahrain’s goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah at his shut to put up.

With the accumulate, Japan stays nine facets certain at the terminate of Community C, ahead of second-placed Australia, who cruised to a 5-1 victory over Indonesia.

In other areas, South Korea modified into once held to a 1-1 intention by Oman, while Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan continue their push for qualification in their respective teams.