Japan has earliest ticket to World Cup in history

On the evening of March 20, the Japanese team defeated Bahrain 2-0 thanks to goals by Kamada (minute 66) and Kubo (minute 87).

The victory helped Japan accumulate 19 points after 7/10 matches in Group C of the third qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia. The "Samurai Blue" is 9 points ahead of the second-placed team, Australia, and at least 10 points ahead of the remaining 4 teams, Saudi Arabia, China, Indonesia, and Bahrain.

This result helps Japan secure one of the top two positions in Group C with three matches early, thereby becoming the first team in the world to qualify for the 2026 World Cup in the US - Canada - Mexico next year.

This achievement is not surprising, because Japan - the team ranked 15th in the world, number 1 in Asia - showed superiority in the continental qualifying round.

In the second qualifying round, Japan achieved a perfect 18 points after 6 matches, scoring 24 goals and conceding none, after two home/away matches against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Myanmar and Syria.

In the third qualifying round, the "Samurai Blue" only shared points with Australia in the first leg, won the remaining 6 matches, scored 22 goals and only conceded 2 goals. In the remaining three matches, Japan will meet Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, and is expected to finish first in Group C.

Having participated in the World Cup 7 times, this is the first time in history that Japan has a ticket to the world football festival 3 matches early.

The 2026 World Cup finals will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, with 45 qualifying teams and three host nations. In the first World Cup with a 48-team quota, Asia will have 8.5 spots (8 official spots, plus 1 intercontinental play-off spot).