Islamabad, 21 March 2025: Japan became the first nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 2-0 victory over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium.
Second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo ensured Hajime Moriyasu-led side confirmed their place in the upcoming marquee tournament.
Kamada, who entered the game as a substitute in the 63rd minute, made an immediate impact by scoring three minutes later.
The midfielder capitalized on a well-coordinated attack initiated by Hiroki Ito, whose pass to Ayase Ueda in midfield set up Kubo, leading to Kamada’s decisive strike.
Kubo, Japan’s standout attacker in the match, later secured the win by slotting the ball past Bahrain’s goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah near the post in the 87th minute.
The result assured Japan’s eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, as the victory guaranteed a top-two finish in Group C of Asia’s qualification rounds.
The top two teams in each Asian group qualify directly, while third and fourth-placed teams enter playoffs.
In another Group C encounter, Australia reinforced their qualification hopes by securing a dominant 5-1 win over Indonesia in Sydney.
Despite an early scare when Kevin Diks’ penalty attempt struck the post in the eighth minute, the Socceroos quickly regained control.
Martin Boyle scored a penalty, Jackson Irvine struck twice, and Velupillay and Miller added goals, strengthening Australia’s position.
Later in the day, Saudi Arabia was set to face China in the final Group C fixture.
South Korea encountered a minor setback in Group B after a 1-1 draw against Oman. Hwang Hee-chan’s first-half goal was later equalized by Ali Al-Busaidi in the 80th minute.
The result kept South Korea at the top of the standings with 15 points, maintaining a four-point lead over Iraq, who were scheduled to play Kuwait later.
Iran led Group A while facing the UAE, Uzbekistan played Kyrgyzstan, and Qatar hosted North Korea.
