Japan early to win ticket to World Cup 2026

Japan (left) won the first ticket to the 2026 World Cup - Photo: AFC

Facing many difficulties against Bahrain, but with the courage and strength of Asia's top team, the Japanese team won 2-0.

Crystal Palace player Daichi Kamada opened the scoring for Japan in the 66th minute. Then, star Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad) scored to seal a 2-0 victory for Japan.

With this victory, Japan firmly consolidated its position at the top of Group C with 19 points. Japan is at least 10 points ahead of the third-placed team, while there are only three more matches left in this round.

Thus, coach Hajime Moriyasu and his team are certain to finish the third qualifying round in the top two teams, thereby winning tickets to the 2026 World Cup. The top two teams in groups A, B, C of the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia will win tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

Excluding the three host teams USA, Canada and Mexico, Japan is the first team to win a ticket to the World Cup. In the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia, Japan proved to be too strong when they won 19/21 points after 7 matches.

The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 with 48 teams participating. This is the first World Cup that FIFA has expanded the number of participating teams from 32 to 48. Asia is allocated 8 places by FIFA.

In another notable match, South Korea and Oman drew 1-1. With this result, South Korea continues to lead Group B with 15 points, temporarily 4 points ahead of the second-placed Iraq.

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