Japan became the first team to win a spot in next year’s World Cup with its 2-0 win in Bahrain. The Asian Football Confederation will have eight nations in next year’s World Cup with a chance to get a ninth in the field via an inter-continental playoff.

Japan has become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 at Saitama Stadium.

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.