Japan Eyes 2026 World Cup Spot with Bahrain Win

If Japan beats Bahrain at Saitama Stadium, Hajime Moriyasu’s team would be the first country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, following their relentless performance in Asia’s preliminaries.

Three points would ensure Japan a top-two finish in Group C and see them join co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico at next year’s finals. With four games remaining, the Japanese dropped just two points from their six qualifiers—a 1-1 tie with Australia in October—and are 10 points ahead of third-ranked Indonesia.

Nine points behind the Samurai Blue, Australia holds the second automatic qualification position in the group; nonetheless, the Socceroos are merely a point clear of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China.

“Nothing is decided yet and I believe we should prioritise how we can play to our abilities to win the game right in front of us, and make sure of securing World Cup qualification,” Moriyasu said last week, choosing his team.

Saudi Arabia is facing China in Riyadh; Australia hosts an Indonesia squad under new coach Patrick Kluivert for the first time.

Pendant qualifiers With Hong Myung-bo’s side needing to defeat Oman in Goyang on Thursday and then pick up another positive result against Jordan to reserve their berth, South Korea is on the edge of rising from Group B.

Jordan in third a further two points away, the South Koreans have fourteen points from their six qualifiers, three ahead of second-placed Iraq. Iraq hosts fifth-placed Kuwait in Basra while Palestine takes on Jordan in Amman. They are first-time candidates for the finals since 1986.

Iran can also get close to a venue for the finals when the United Arab Emirates visits Tehran in Group A. Sitting a further three ahead of the UAE, Amir Ghalenoei’s side ranks highest from Uzbekistan by three points.

Qatar entertain North Korea needing a win to keep their chances of automatic qualifying; Uzbekistan, chasing their first-ever World Cup appearance, hosts Kyrgyzstan in Tashkent.