Japan has the chance to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday if it secures a victory over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium. Hajime Moriyasu’s squad aims to continue its dominant run in Asia’s preliminaries, having displayed impressive form throughout the campaign.
A win would guarantee Japan a top-two finish in Group C, ensuring its place alongside co-hosts the United States, Canada, and Mexico at next year’s finals. The Japanese side has only dropped two points in six matches—a 1-1 draw with Australia in October—and currently holds a 10-point lead over third-placed Indonesia, with four games left in the group stage.
Australia, sitting in the second automatic qualification spot, is nine points behind Japan and just a point ahead of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China. The Socceroos face Indonesia, who will be playing their first game under new coach Patrick Kluivert, while Saudi Arabia hosts China in Riyadh.
Perennial qualifiers South Korea are also on the verge of advancing from Group B. “Hong Myung-bo’s side needs to defeat Oman in Goyang on Thursday and then pick up another positive result against Jordan to book its spot.” South Korea currently leads with 14 points from six matches, three ahead of Iraq, while Jordan trails by another two points.
Iraq, aiming for its first World Cup appearance since 1986, hosts Kuwait in Basra, while Palestine meets Jordan in Amman.
Iran can move closer to qualification when it hosts the United Arab Emirates in Tehran. “Amir Ghalenoei’s team top the standings from Uzbekistan by three points while sitting a further three ahead of the UAE.” Meanwhile, Uzbekistan, seeking its first-ever World Cup appearance, takes on Kyrgyzstan in Tashkent, while Qatar faces North Korea in a crucial clash for automatic qualification hopes.
(With inputs from Reuters)