Japan become first team to seal 2026 World Cup qualification

Takefusa Kubo scored one and set up another as Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.

Japan became the first team to qualify for next year’s 48-team tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, though they had to wait until over an hour to take the lead at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Thursday.

Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada broke the deadlock in the 66th minute, finishing coolly after latching onto Kubo’s neat reverse pass.

Kubo turned from provider to scorer to seal the points late on, side-footing a brilliant strike in at Ebrahim Lutfallah’s near post.

Japan, who are nine points clear of second-placed Australia in their group, are now sure of appearing at an eighth consecutive World Cup.

Japan have qualified for #FIFAWorldCup 26!#WeAre26 | @jfa_samuraiblue

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) March 20, 2025

South Korea will have to wait to secure their ticket for next year’s competition, after they could only draw 1-1 at home to Oman.

Hwang Hee-chan put Korea ahead in the 41st minute, yet they were pegged back with 10 minutes remaining.

Ali Al Busaidi grabbed Oman’s goal, leaving Korea top of their group, with a four-point lead over Iraq.

Data Debrief: Brilliant in both boxes

That is now five clean sheets in the space of seven matches in the third round of qualifying for Japan, who have kept more shutouts than any other AFC team in this campaign.

At the other end, they have now scored in each of their last 14 World Cup qualifiers, netting 35 goals in total.

Kubo was their star player. He led the way for shots (three), shots on target (two), touches in the opposition box (seven) and chances created (three).