Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo struck in the second half to earn Hajime Moriyasu's side a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium and confirm their place at next year's finals.

Several other teams are still competing for World Cup qualification. Argentina needs victories over Uruguay and Brazil and favorable results elsewhere. In Oceania and Asia, other teams are battling for the remaining qualifying spots.

Japan will become the first qualifier to join co-hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico at the 2026 World Cup if it beats Bahrain on Thursday.