Japan first country to qualify for World Cup 2026 football
Japan has become the first country to secure a spot at the World Cup 2026 through qualification. This article explains how Japan reached this milestone and what it means for the ongoing qualification campaign. It also highlights the key players and performances that contributed to this success.
Strong qualification campaign by Japan
Japan won all matches in the first round of qualification. Their group opponents were North Korea, Syria, and Myanmar. In the second round, Japan faced stronger teams such as Australia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China, and Indonesia.
With a 2-0 win over Bahrain, Japan reached 19 points. The lead is now too big for others to catch up.
Summary of Japan’s qualification matches
- Victory over Bahrain with goals by Kamada and Kubo
- Ayase Ueda played until the 86th minute
- Six wins and one draw in the group stage
Japan makes history on the road to the World Cup football
Japan is the first country, aside from the host nations, to qualify for the World Cup 2026. The tournament in North America will feature 48 nations for the first time.
This will be Japan’s eighth appearance at a World Cup. So far, the team has never gone beyond the round of 16.
Upcoming qualification matches for Japan
Although Japan has already qualified, three more games remain:
- Home match against Saudi Arabia on Tuesday
- Away match against Australia on 5 June
- Home match against Indonesia on 10 June
These matches are crucial for the other teams still competing for second place in the group.
Role of players and coach in Japan’s qualification
Coach Hajime Moriyasu has built a stable and focused team with few mistakes.
Key players during this qualification run included:
- Daichi Kamada (midfielder, Crystal Palace)
- Takefusa Kubo (forward, Real Sociedad)
- Ayase Ueda (striker, Feyenoord)
Ueda recently left the squad with an ankle injury but had a strong impact before that.
Japan sets the pace for other World Cup teams
With 19 points and confident wins, Japan is the first team to qualify for the World Cup 2026.
The results reflect the team’s current dominance in Asia. While Japan prepares for the tournament, other teams still fight for a ticket to join them.
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Japan is the first country to qualify for the World Cup 2026. With 19 points, their spot is secured.
About the author
Author of this content is Patrick. I have been playing soccer for more than 25 years and follow the daily news closely. My hobbies include playing football, running and maintaining various websites, in addition to my job as a financial professional.
I do not work for any related company or institution, so the information is reliable and independent. The information has been collected accurately from reliable sources and is regularly updated.