SAITAMA, Japan — Japan don become di first team wey qualify for di 2026 World Cup after dem beat Bahrain 2-0 for Saitama Stadium on Thursday. Di goals wey come from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo for di second half carry di Samurai Blue enter di top two automatic qualification spots for Asia Group C.
Dis go be Japan’s eighth consecutive World Cup appearance as dem dey join co-hosts di United States, Canada, and Mexico for di expanded 48-team tournament. Coach Hajime Moriyasu appreciate di players and fans, saying, “Thanks to di players for their efforts and di fans for their support. We knew that if we persevered dat di goals go come. We go try and win our three remaining games and grow as a team.”
Bahrain coach Dragan Talajic also acknowledge Japan’s quality, saying, “It no dey surprising dat Japan don qualify, as e be high-quality team. Dem go achieve great results for di World Cup.”
Before di match, second-placed Australia make big step toward dem seventh appearance after dem beat Indonesia 5-1 for di visitor’s first game under new coach Patrick Kluivert. After Indonesia miss penalty for di eighth minute, Australia quickly capitalize as Martin Boyle score from di spot kick to put dem ahead. Jackson Irvine scored two goals after dat, helping di Socceroos secure a solid win.
Di qualification format for di World Cup get three six-team groups in di third round, with di top two teams from each group advancing. Di third and fourth-placed teams go compete in another stage for two more places. South Korea still dey on top of Group B despite drawing 1-1 with Oman in Goyang. Forward Hwang Hee-chan give South Korea di lead just before halftime, but Oman manage equalize through Ali Al-Busaidi’s goal for di 80th minute.
“People fit think this qualification round dey easy but we dey work very hard for every match,” South Korea captain tok. “A match like this fit teach us lesson. We go take whatever positive we fit from dis.”
Japan started di qualifiers strong, finishing di second round with six wins and scoring 24 goals while conceding none. Dem no show any sign of weakness as dem continue to dominate in di third round, and di result against Bahrain just reaffirm di belief wey dey for di team.
Di Japan national team had already struck three victories in di third round, leading Group C confidently with nine points clear of Australia. Di crucial win against Bahrain put dem at a strong position to continue their journey to di World Cup, showing di skill and determination wey dey characterize di Samurai Blue.
As di qualifiers continue, Japan dey prepare to face Saudi Arabia next on March 25, before meeting Australia on June 5 and Indonesia on June 10. Di future still dey bright for di Japanese team as dem eye victory and glory on di global stage.
