Japan first to seal World Cup spot as S. Korea, Australia, Iran get closer
Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as South Korea were held but still inched closer along with a rampant Australia and a dominant Iran.
Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored in the second half to give Japan a 2-0 home win over Bahrain and take their place alongside hosts the United States, Canada and Mexico at next year's finals.
The runaway Asian Group C leaders failed to sparkle on a chilly night in Saitama until substitute Kamada pounced for the opener in the 66th minute.
In front of nearly 60,000 fans, Kubo added another in the 87th minute as Japan sealed their berth in style.
It will be their eighth straight World Cup appearance.
"I'm relieved that we could qualify at home in front of our supporters," said Kubo, before he and his team-mates doused coach Hajime Moriyasu with water.
"This here is not our goal -- we want to compete against strong teams at the World Cup."
Australia remain in pole position to qualify with Japan.
A Jackson Irvine brace and goals from Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay and Lewis Miller ensured the Socceroos thrashed Indonesia 5-1 as Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert was well beaten in his first game in charge. Indonesia missed an early penalty.
Australian captain Mat Ryan said: "I think the scoreline flatters us a little bit to be honest.
"At the start of the game they had two big chances, and if they put one of them away, it could have been a different game."
Japan lead on 19 points, with Australia second on 10 points, one clear of Saudi Arabia and four of Indonesia, Bahrain and China.
The top two go straight to North America, with teams finishing third and fourth in the three Asian groups going into a further round of qualifying.
Saudi Arabia ensured the race for that second automatic slot continues with a 1-0 win against 10-man China in Riyadh. Captain Salem Al Dawsari got the goal to give manager Herve Renard a first qualifying victory since his reappointment last October.
- Oman late leveller -
South Korea, meanwhile, are still on course for 2026 but conceded a goal with 10 minutes left as Oman snatched a precious 1-1 away draw.
The hosts took the lead in the first half though Wolves striker Hwang Hee-chan, but Ali Al Busaidi struck to stun the home support.
South Korea still top Group B with 15 points and three matches left to play, starting at home to Jordan on Tuesday.
Jordan leapfrogged Iraq into second via goal difference thanks to a 3-1 victory against still-winless Palestine in Amman.
Iraq are level on 12 points after a last-gasp 2-2 draw in Basra with Kuwait. The home side were 2-0 down but scored both goals in injury time to snatch a point, with Ibrahim Bayesh's equaliser coming in the 101st minute. Oman are fourth, on seven points.
In Group A, Iran are one point away from securing their World Cup spot following a heavily interrupted 2-0 win at home to the UAE in Tehran.
After the match had to be halted for 29 minutes when one of the floodlights failed at the Azadi Sports Complex, Emirates-based striker Sardar Azmoun opened the scoring in the 27th minute of first-half stoppage time.
Mohammad Mohebi added the second with 20 minutes remaining to lift Iran to 19 points. They will qualify for a seventh World Cup should they avoid defeat against second-placed Uzbekistan in Tehran on Tuesday.
Uzbekistan stay on course for a first World Cup after a 1-0 victory against Kyrgyzstan in Tashkent. They sit on 16 points, six ahead of the UAE and also Asian champions Qatar who defeated North Korea 5-1 in Doha.
pst-str/jc/nf/dj
| 2d 5:11 PM ET ago |
Topics
-
'Relieved' Japan first team to qualify for 2026 World Cup
Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo gave them a 2-0 win over Bahrain on Thursday."This here is not our goal -- ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Australia edge closer to World Cup with 5-1 thrashing of Indonesia
Two goals in two minutes helped Australia secure a 5-1 thrashing of Indonesia on Thursday to inch closer to World Cup qualification as Dutch legend Patrick Kluivert was well beaten in his first ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Who has qualified for World Cup 2026? Japan joins United States, Mexico and Canada with qualifying underway
Japan became the first national team to qualify through the World Cup qualifiersCBS Sports - 1d -
Japan become 1st side to qualify for '26 World Cup
Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama on Thursday to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.ESPN - 1d -
Japan first nation to qualify for 2026 World Cup
Japan become the first nation to book their place in the 2026 World Cup through qualifying after defeating Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Japan becomes the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after host nations
Japan has become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 at Saitama StadiumABC News - 2d -
Oman snatch World Cup qualifying draw late on in South Korea
South Korea conceded a goal with 10 minutes left as Oman stunned Son Heung-min's side to snatch a precious 1-1 away draw in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.South Korea still lead Asian qualifying ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Endo urges fans to believe Japan can win World Cup
Wataru Endo said Japan can win the 2026 World Cup after becoming the first team to qualify and the Liverpool ace urged fans to buy into the ambitious target."Qualifying for the World Cup is an ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Endo says Japan won't be satisfied just to reach World Cup
Liverpool's Wataru Endo said Japan's sights are set higher than just qualifying for next year's World Cup as they look to become the first team to clinch their place on Thursday."I want us to ...Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Amir Khan, viral McNeese manager, expected to join coach Will Wade in moving to NC State
Khan became an internet and TV sensation during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament due to a viral video of him blasting rap on a boombox with McNeese players.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
McNeese's Will Wade signs a 6-year deal to become NC State coach, AP source says
McNeese coach Will Wade has a signed six-year deal to take over as N.C. State's next coach, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday. Wade's second NCAA ...Yahoo Sports - 27m -
Gardner Minshew 'grateful' to join Kansas City Chiefs as Patrick Mahomes' backup
See what Gardner Minshew told reporters about his decision to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs to be Patrick Mahomes' backup.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Tale of the Tape: Team Leaders - Notre Dame vs. Michigan
See how the best players on the Irish and Wolverines stack up.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Nets' Ziaire Williams has been 'spot on' to end this season
Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams has been having his best month of the season in March. Head coach Jordi Fernandez says that he has been spot on.Yahoo Sports - 32m
More in Sports
-
Men's NCAA tournament live tracker: Arkansas, St. John's going down to wire with Sweet 16 berth on the line
nullESPN - 24m -
Amir Khan, viral McNeese manager, expected to join coach Will Wade in moving to NC State
Khan became an internet and TV sensation during the first weekend of the NCAA tournament due to a viral video of him blasting rap on a boombox with McNeese players.Yahoo Sports - 24m -
McNeese's Will Wade signs a 6-year deal to become NC State coach, AP source says
McNeese coach Will Wade has a signed six-year deal to take over as N.C. State's next coach, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Saturday. Wade's second NCAA ...Yahoo Sports - 27m -
Gardner Minshew 'grateful' to join Kansas City Chiefs as Patrick Mahomes' backup
See what Gardner Minshew told reporters about his decision to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs to be Patrick Mahomes' backup.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Expert picks, best bets: Edwards' path to victory at UFC Fight Night
Who has the edge in Saturday's UFC Fight Night? An MMA fighter and betting insider make their picks.ESPN - 29m