OneFootball
Padraig Whelan·20 March 2025
đ The 2026 World Cup has its first qualified nation đ
đ The 2026 World Cup has its first qualified nation đ | OneFootball
In partnership with
Yahoo sports
Japan have become the first team to book their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Or at least, the Blue Samurai are the first nation to punch their ticket to the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer via the traditional qualifying route.
OneFootball Videos
All three host nations are automatic qualifiers but Japan have added their name to the revamped 48-country tournament.
That came thanks to a 2-0 win over Bahrain on Thursday via second half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo.
Who will join them in North America? Forty-four places remain up for grabs...
đž Kenta Harada - 2025 Getty Images
MORE STORIES
- Mainz 05 II
Steinbach
Watch - Eintracht Frankfurt II
Astoria Walldorf
Watch - Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels WFC
Bam Khatoon
Watch - Ho Chi Minh City Women
Abu Dhabi Country Club
Watch - Hessen Kassel
Göppinger SV
Watch - Homburg
Giessen
Watch - Freiburg II
FC 08 Villingen
Watch - Bahlinger SC
Hoffenheim II
Watch - Barockstadt Fulda-Lehnerz
SGV Freiberg
Watch - Eintracht Trier
FSV Frankfurt
Watch - Stuttgarter Kickers
Kickers Offenbach
Watch - RC Kouba
Ben Aknoun
Watch - Cliftonville
Carrick Rangers
Watch - Coleraine
Portadown
Watch - Glenavon
Larne
Watch - Glentoran
Crusaders
Watch - LFC Legends
Chelsea Legends
Watch - Melbourne City Women
Taichung Blue Whale
Watch - Urawa Reds
Wuhan Jiangda
Watch - Japan
Saudi Arabia
Watch - Korea Republic
Jordan
Watch
Alex Sandro, from Flamengo: 'Everyone is super excited about the FIFA Club World Cup' Kubo shines with this goal vs Bahrain from a tight angle Kamada nets skillful strike for Japan following Kubo's assist Zubimendi on playing chess and his role in the Spanish national team Fernando Torres leads AtlĂ©tico B training Alisson praises Luis DĂaz ahead of Brazil vs Colombia
