SAITAMA, JAPAN(SMI-GLOBAL-SPORTS-NEWS-MARCH 20-23,2025)-The National Soccer(Football) team of Japan defeated Bahrain 2-0, with two goals in the second half to become the first nation to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Japanese team, also known as the " The Samurai Blue" accumulated 19-points with 7-wins and a draw to win Group C, of the Asian Qualifiers with three official qualifying games remaining, and joining the USA, Mexico and Canada for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

After scoreless 65' in the second half, Japan's Ayase Ueda led a counter-attack through the middle and passed the ball to Takefusa Kubo who rolled a passed to Daichi Kamada who scored with a flicked right-footed to put The Samurai Blue"
1-0, over Bahrain at 66' mark.

With 3' minute left in the game and the fans chanting in celebration for a guaranteed 1-0, victory,  Takefusa Kubo served a corner to Junya Ito who gave it back to Kubo inside the 18' and scored with a left footed to the opposite right-goalpost to sealed a 2-0, win for Japan, and sending the Samurai Blue to its 8th consecutive FIFA World cup to take place in USA, Mexico and Canada. 





Article  by Marcello Cutti II/Starlight Illustrated