Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a commanding 2-0 victory over Bahrain in Saitama. The win marked their sixth in seven matches, extending the Samurai Blue’s lead to a dominant 19 points over their closest challengers.
Second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo secured all three points for Japan, sealing their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, the USA, and Mexico. Meanwhile, Bahrain’s slim qualification hopes remain alive as they join Australia, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and China in the chase for the second direct qualification spot.
Dragan Talajic’s Bahrain started brightly, putting early pressure on their hosts. In the sixth minute, Mahdi Abduljabbar attempted an ambitious overhead kick after Ali Madan lofted the ball into the penalty area, but his effort sailed just over the crossbar.
Japan responded swiftly, with Kubo’s movement unlocking Bahrain’s defense two minutes later. The Real Sociedad playmaker latched onto Wataru Endo’s return pass inside the box, only to be denied by Amine Benaddi’s desperate sliding block.
The Samurai Blue thought they had taken the lead from the resulting corner when Endo reacted quickest to a loose ball and finished from close range. However, after consulting the pitchside monitor, referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim ruled the goal out for a handball by Ayase Ueda in the buildup.
Kubo continued to pose a threat, floating between the lines and trying to create openings, but Bahrain’s disciplined defensive shape frustrated Japan’s attempts to break through. The hosts came close to breaking the deadlock with less than four minutes remaining in the first half when Kubo slipped Kaoru Mitoma down the left flank. The Brighton winger’s low cross found Ueda 12 yards from goal, but Waleed Al Hayam’s perfectly timed block diverted the shot wide.
Japan pushed for the opener, and soon after, Mitoma had a chance of his own. Played in behind the Bahrain defense by a pinpoint pass from Hidemasa Morita, he fired a shot on the run but sent it over the bar. Despite Japan’s increasing pressure, Bahrain held firm and reached halftime with the score still level.
Looking for a breakthrough, Japan made a double substitution in the 63rd minute, bringing on Kamada and Junya Ito for Ritsu Doan and Takumi Minamino. The change paid dividends almost immediately, as Kamada broke the deadlock within three minutes of coming on.
Hiroki Ito initiated the move with a precise pass from deep to Ueda, who used his strength to shield the ball before turning to find Kubo surging forward. The midfielder then slipped a perfectly weighted pass into Kamada’s path, and despite a push in the back, he remained composed to slot the ball home.
Bahrain nearly grabbed an equalizer when Mahdi Al Humaidan pounced on a mistake by goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, but the visitors couldn’t capitalize. Japan then put the game to bed in the 87th minute, with Kubo sealing the victory in style. The playmaker fired a clever near-post finish past Ebrahim Lutfallah in the Bahrain goal, sparking jubilant celebrations among the home crowd.