Japan has officially secured a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a solid 2-0 win over Bahrain on Thursday. This victory marks their eighth consecutive qualification, highlighting their dominance in Asian football.
Second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo sealed the deal for the Samurai Blue. Kamada, who plays for Crystal Palace, made an instant impact off the bench, breaking the deadlock in the 66th minute. Real Sociedad’s Kubo then put the game to bed with a well-placed strike in the 87th minute.
Even before kickoff, Japan was on the verge of qualification. Australia’s 5-1 triumph over Indonesia meant that a draw would have been enough, but Japan was determined to clinch their spot in style. In front of nearly 60,000 fans, they delivered a performance worthy of celebration.
Kamada wasted no time making his mark, slotting the ball past Bahrain’s goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla after a sharp pass from Kubo. Kubo, who had been a threat throughout the game, finally got his moment with a clinical finish from a tight angle, sparking celebrations at the final whistle.
Under head coach Hajime Moriyasu, Japan has been dominant in the qualifiers, remaining unbeaten with five wins and a draw. Their squad featured top talents, including Premier League players Wataru Endo of Liverpool and Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton.
Japan nearly took the lead early on when Endo found the net in the ninth minute, but VAR ruled it out. The team continued to press, though Bahrain had their moments, with Komail Al Aswad missing a key chance before halftime. Mitoma also came close in stoppage time but sent his shot over the bar.
Recognizing the need for fresh energy, Moriyasu brought on Kamada and Junya Ito midway through the second half—a move that paid off immediately. Kubo also tested Lutfalla with a powerful shot before finally finding the back of the net.
With this victory, Japan not only secures a ticket to the World Cup but also reaffirms its place as a powerhouse in Asian football. Now, their focus shifts to preparing for the 2026 tournament in North America, where they’ll aim to make an even bigger impact on the global stage.
