Along with the host countries, Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Japan is the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
On March 20, 2025, Japan defeated Bahrain 2-0 in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifications.
Shortly after being brought in as a substitute, midfielder Daichi Kamada broke the tie in the 66th minute of the game played at Saitama Stadium.
Three minutes before the end, Takefusa Kubo scored the game-winning goal to guarantee Japan’s place in the top two of Group C of the AFC preliminary round.
Japan has now qualified for the World Cup for the eighth time in a row, demonstrating their steady play on the global scene.
Japan’s early qualification demonstrates their strong position in Asian football and lays the groundwork for their future success on the global scene, especially since the 2026 tournament will now have 48 countries.
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