Japan has officially become the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 2-0 win over Bahrain on Thursday. Second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo sealed the victory, securing Japan’s ticket to North America.
On a chilly night in Saitama, the Samurai Blue struggled to break through until Crystal Palace’s Kamada found the net in the 66th minute, just three minutes after coming on as a substitute. Real Sociedad’s Kubo later put the game to bed in the 87th minute with a clinical finish.
This win marks Japan’s eighth consecutive World Cup qualification, continuing their dominance in Asian football. With Australia’s earlier 5-1 win over Indonesia, Japan would have qualified even with a draw, but they ensured qualification in style in front of nearly 60,000 ecstatic home fans.
Despite a strong Bahrain defense, Japan kept pushing, with captain Wataru Endo and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma leading the attack. Endo even had a goal disallowed by VAR in the ninth minute. After a wasteful first half, coach Hajime Moriyasu’s substitutions proved decisive, as Kamada and Kubo turned the game in Japan’s favor.
As the final whistle blew, Japan’s players sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate their achievement with the home supporters, knowing they’ll be heading to the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico next year.
