Japan made history on Thursday by becoming the first non-host country to qualify for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. With a commanding 2-0 victory over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium, the Samurai Blue earned their place in the upcoming tournament, set to be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Sealing the Deal with Second-Half Spark
Though Japan dominated much of the first half, Bahrain’s resilient defense kept the scoreboard blank. But Japan’s persistence paid off in the second half. In the 66th minute, substitute Daichi Kamada broke the deadlock with a composed finish.
Just three minutes before the final whistle, Takefusa Kubo—who had threatened down the left flank all evening—found the back of the net from a difficult angle to seal the win and Japan’s qualification.
Coach Moriyasu Praises Unity and Determination
Japan’s head coach, Hajime Moriyasu, expressed his pride after the match. “Thanks to the players for their efforts and the fans for their support,” he said, as reported by the Associated Press. “We knew that if we persevered that the goals would come. We will try and win our three remaining games and grow as a team.”
With this win, Japan remains unbeaten in their qualifying campaign, collecting 19 points from seven matches—nine ahead of second-placed Australia and 10 clear of third-placed Saudi Arabia.
Consistent Performers on the Global Stage
This marks Japan’s eighth consecutive World Cup appearance. Under the current Asian qualifying format, the top two teams in each six-team group automatically qualify for the tournament, while third and fourth-placed teams must battle through additional rounds.
Japan’s early qualification underscores their consistent performance and dominance in Asian football, setting the tone for other hopefuls on the continent.
Australia Closes In on Qualification with Big Win
Elsewhere in Group C, Australia moved closer to joining Japan at the World Cup with a strong 5-1 win over Indonesia in Sydney. Under new manager Patrick Kluivert, the Socceroos shined despite an early scare when Indonesia missed a penalty.
Martin Boyle opened the scoring for Australia with a penalty of his own, followed by goals from Nishan Velupillay, Jackson Irvine, and Lewis Miller. While Ole Romeny got one back for Indonesia, Irvine’s second goal sealed the result for Australia.
A Confident Step Toward North America
Japan’s solid qualification campaign and commanding lead demonstrate their readiness to compete on the global stage. With three games still to play, the Samurai Blue have shown they are not just qualifying—they’re preparing to contend.