It’s a straightforward task for Japan’s coach Hajime Moriyasu and his team this week: defeat Bahrain, and they will secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.
A victory over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on Thursday would see Japan become the first team to qualify for the tournament alongside co-hosts the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Currently undefeated with six wins and two draws, Japan is heavily favored to secure its eighth consecutive World Cup appearance. A win would also put them at least 10 points ahead of third-place in Group C, with just three games remaining.
Who Will Win the Ballon d'Or trophy in 2025: 5 Prospective Footballers
“Nothing is decided yet, and I believe we should prioritize how we can play to our abilities to win the game right in front of us and make sure of securing World Cup qualification,” said Moriyasu, who guided Japan to the second round of the 2022 World Cup.
Moriyasu’s squad includes Europe-based players such as Liverpool’s Wataru Endo and Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton and Hove Albion. Japan comes off two away victories in November, defeating Indonesia 4-0 and China 3-1.
The race for second place in Group C is intense, with Australia holding a narrow point lead over the other four teams. The Socceroos will host third-place Indonesia in Sydney, where Patrick Kluivert will take charge of Indonesia for the first time after replacing Shin Tae-yong in January. Indonesia, having last qualified for the World Cup in 1938, will be buoyed by their recent win over Saudi Arabia in November.
Saudi Arabia, aiming for a seventh World Cup appearance, will play at home against China, which has only qualified once.
Who Will Win the Ballon d'Or trophy in 2025: 5 Prospective Footballers
Group B
South Korea, leading Group B with 14 points, could take a significant step toward an 11th consecutive World Cup appearance with a win over Oman in Goyang, just north of Seoul. Coach Hong Myung-bo expressed frustration over the Achilles tendon injury of Bayern Munich’s star defender, Kim Min-jae, criticizing the club for not properly safeguarding the player.
Iraq, sitting three points behind in second place, will face Kuwait, while third-place Jordan hosts Palestine.
Group A
Iran is on the verge of a seventh World Cup appearance if they defeat the United Arab Emirates in Tehran, putting them nine points clear of the third-place team. Uzbekistan, in second place, will host Kyrgyzstan, while Qatar, in fourth and six points behind the automatic spots, will take on last-place North Korea.
Asian Qualifying Path
Hamza Chowdhury hopes for victory against India in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers
The top two nations from each of the three six-team groups in the third round will earn automatic spots at the 2026 World Cup. Third- and fourth-place finishers will advance to a fourth round, where the group winners will secure direct spots. The runners-up will enter a fifth-round continental playoff, with the winner advancing to a six-team FIFA playoff for a final place in the 48-team tournament.
Source: Wiht input from agency