Japan Aims for Victory Against Bahrain to Secure Spot in 2026 World Cup Qualifications
JAKARTA — Japan is on the cusp of becoming the first team to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup if they defeat Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Under the guidance of coach Hajime Moriyasu, the Japanese team is striving to maintain their stellar performance in the third round of the Asian qualifiers.
With a win, Japan will guarantee a top-two finish in Group C, paving their way to the final tournament alongside hosts United States, Canada, and Mexico next year. Having only dropped two points in six qualifying matches, through a draw with Australia in October 2024, the Blue Samurai are currently leading the group with a comfortable 10-point advantage over Indonesia, who sit in third place with four games remaining.
Australia secures the second automatic qualifying spot in the group, trailing Japan by nine points. However, the Socceroos are only one point ahead of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China.
Coach Moriyasu emphasized the importance of focusing on the upcoming matches to secure their qualification, stating, “No decisions have been made yet, and I am confident that we need to prioritize how we can play to our abilities to win the games in front of us and ensure World Cup qualification.”
Australia will host Indonesia, managed by new coach Patrick Kluivert, for the first time, while Saudi Arabia will face China in Riyadh. Meanwhile, South Korea, a consistent qualifier, is also eyeing the 2026 World Cup. Under coach Hong Myung-bo, they need to defeat Oman in Goyang on Thursday, March 20, 2025, and maintain positive results against Jordan to secure their spot.
South Korea currently holds 14 points from six qualifying matches, leading by three points over second-placed Iraq, with Jordan trailing by an additional two points. Iraq, aiming to qualify for the first time since 1986, will host Kuwait in Basra, while Palestine will face Jordan in Amman.
Iran is also in contention for a spot in the final tournament as they face the United Arab Emirates in Tehran in Group A. With three points clear at the top of the table over Uzbekistan, and three points ahead of the UAE, Iran is in a promising position.
Uzbekistan is chasing their debut appearance in the World Cup and will play against Kyrgyzstan in Tashkent, while Qatar will take on North Korea, who are in dire need of a win to keep their automatic qualification hopes alive.
By the end of Thursday’s matches, the fate of several teams in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup will become clearer, with Japan standing on the brink of history as they aim to secure their spot in the prestigious tournament.
