◤FIFA World Cup in US-Canada-Mexico - Asian qualifiers◢ Takefusa Kubo scores and assists as Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 to become the first country to secure a spot in the tournament..

Japan defeated Bahrain 2-0 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asia Qualifiers at Saitama 2002 Stadium on Thursday, becoming the first country to secure a spot in international football's most anticipated tournament.

In the first half, Wataru Endo's close-range shot was ruled out by the VAR. In the second half, Daichi Kamada Daichi volleyed into the net. At the critical moment, Takefusa Kubo volleyed and scored from a difficult angle. In the end, Japan defeated Bahrain 2-0 and became the first country in the world to have secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

First Half

In the 6th minute, Ali Jaafar Madan crossed into the box from the right side. Mahdi Abduljabbar rose high in the box and attempted with a back-heel volley with his right foot, but his shot flew high out of the pitch.

2 minutes later, Takumi Minamino passes horizontally from the right side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Takefusa Kubo volleyed with his left foot from a very close distance in the box, but his shot flew high out of the pitch. The Samrai Blue missed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock early!

Soon after, Japan got a corner kick opportunity. Kubo took the corner by crossing it into the box. Ko Itakura headed the ball across, and the ball was initially blocked by Ayase Ueda, before Wataru Endo pushed the ball into the bottom left corner of the net with his right foot from a very close distance in the box! However, the VAR assistant referee intervened immediately. The referee personally went to the sidelines to watch the VAR video replay and confirmed that Ueda was caught fouled with a handball, thus the goal was ruledout! The Liverpool defensive midfielder missed the chance to break his six-month goal drought!

In the first minute of the first half stoppage time, Hidemasa Morita made a through pass from the left wing. After successfully beating the offside trap, Kaoru Mitoma quickly followed up, got the ball, dribbled into the left side of the box, before volleying with his left foot, but his shot flew high out of the pitch.

At the end of the first half, Japan and Bahrain temporarily drew 0-0 and entered the half-time break.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 66th minute, Kubo passes horizontally from the front. Daichi Kamada quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before volleying the ball into the bottom left corner of the net against the outrushing Ebrahim Lutfalla with his right foot from the center of the box. Japan broke the deadlock first to take a 1-0 lead! This was the first time that Kamada, who was called up to the national team for the first time in six-month, has scored for the Samurai Blue!

12 minutes later, Bahrain got a free kick opportunity. Komail Al-Aswad took the free kick from outside the penalty area by crossing it into the box. Abdulla Al-Khalasi rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Zion Suzuki.

In the 83rd minute, Mahdi Al-Humaidan and Al-Aswad's volleys from the left side of the box were successively blocked by Hiroki Ito and Itakura.

2 minutes later, Itakura made a long pass from his own back half, After successfully beating the offside trap, Kubo quickly followed up, got the ball, dribbled into the left side of the box before volleying with his left foot, but his shot was saved by Lutfalla.

In the 87th minute, Ito made a straight pass from the left wing. Takefusa Kubo quickly followed up, got the ball, dribbled into the left side of the box before volleying the ball with his left foot. The ball flew straight into the bottom left corner of the net, leaving Lutfalla out of reach. Japan secured the win at 2-0! This is his 12th goal in all competitions this season, including the national team!

When the final whistle is blown, Japan defeated Bahrain by 2-0, qualified for the World Cup finals for the 8th consecutive time, and became the first country to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals after the three host countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico.