Japan has made history as the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dominant 2-0 victory over Bahrain on Thursday. The Samurai Blue secured their ticket to the global tournament, set to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with an impressive performance in Saitama.
Daichi Kamada broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, giving Japan the lead, while Takefusa Kubo sealed the win in the 87th minute, ensuring an undisputed triumph. The win marks Japan’s sixth victory in seven matches, guaranteeing them a top-two finish in their group in the third round of Asian qualifiers.
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With the 2026 World Cup expanding to 48 teams, Asia will now have eight direct slots, in addition to the automatic qualification of the three host nations. Japan’s latest achievement extends their remarkable streak, making it their eighth consecutive World Cup appearance since their debut in 1998.
While Japan’s men’s team continues to chase World Cup glory, their women’s team has already made history by winning the tournament in 2011 and reaching the final in 2015. With their spot secured, the Samurai Blue will now set their sights on making a deeper run in the upcoming global showdown.
