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

After defeating Bahrain 2-0 at Saitama Stadium, Japan won the first group to advance to the 2026 World Cup.

The Samurai Blue placed among Asia Group C’s top two automatic qualification spots thanks to the second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo.

Japan joins the expanded 48-team competition that the United States, Canada, and Mexico co-hosts for its eighth straight World Cup.

Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu thanked the players for their efforts and the fans for their support.

“We knew the objectives would be accomplished if we remained determined.” We will work together to improve in each of our final three games.

In their first game under new coach Patrick Kluivert, second-place Australia defeated Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney earlier in a significant step toward a seventh appearance.

Kevin Diks, an Indonesian international, missed a penalty in the eighth minute, and Martin Boyle, a Socceroos international, converted his spot kick.

Before the break, Lewis Miller made it 4-0 with a pair of goals from Nishan Velupillay and Jackson Irvine.

Before Irvine’s second and the hosts’ fifth, Ole Romeny scored for Indonesia.