Japan has become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, after a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium, Japan earlier today.

Both goals came in the second half from Daichi Kamada and  Takefusa Kubo, qualifying Japan for their eighth consecutive World Cup finals.

The result means Japan continue to lead Group C by nine points from second-placed Australia, who beat Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney.

Canada, Mexico and the United States have already secured a place in next year’s expanded World Cup as the hosts but Japan’s Samurai Blue are the first to do so via the qualifiers.