Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 football World Cup after second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo gave them a 2-0 win over Bahrain last night.
The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute. Kubo added another in the 87th minute as Japan punched their ticket to next year's tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It will be their eighth straight World Cup appearance.
"I'm relieved that we could qualify at home in front of our supporters," said Kubo, before he and his team-mates addressed fans at Saitama Stadium and doused coach Hajime Moriyasu with water.
"This here is not our goal - we want to compete against strong teams at the World Cup."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Japan celebrate their progress. REUTERS
