OneFootball
Padraig Whelan·20 March 2025
đ The 2026 World Cup has its first qualified nation đ
đ The 2026 World Cup has its first qualified nation đ | OneFootball
Japan have become the first team to book their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Or at least, the Blue Samurai are the first nation to punch their ticket to the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer via the traditional qualifying route.
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All three host nations are automatic qualifiers but Japan have added their name to the revamped 48-country tournament.
That came thanks to a 2-0 win over Bahrain on Thursday via second half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo.
Who will join them in North America? Forty-four places remain up for grabs...
đž Kenta Harada - 2025 Getty Images
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