Japan secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first nation to qualify after a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on Thursday.
Second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo sealed the victory, ensuring Hajime Moriyasu’s side a top-two finish in Group C of the AFC qualifiers. The Samurai Blue have now qualified for their eighth consecutive World Cup.
Kamada, who came off the bench in the 63rd minute, broke the deadlock just three minutes later, finishing off a move that started with Hiroki Ito finding Ayase Ueda, who then set up Kubo to assist Kamada. The Real Sociedad playmaker later put the result beyond doubt in the 87th minute, beating Bahrain's goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah at his near post.
With the win, Japan remains nine points clear at the top of Group C, ahead of second-placed Australia, who cruised to a 5-1 victory over Indonesia.
Elsewhere, South Korea was held to a 1-1 draw by Oman, while Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan continue their push for qualification in their respective groups.