Japan secured their spot as the inaugural qualifier for the 2026 World Cup following a decisive 2-0 victory over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium on Thursday.
Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo scored second-half goals, ensuring Japan secured one of the top-two automatic qualification spots in Asia Group C.
In its eighth consecutive World Cup, Japan will participate alongside co-hosts the United States, Canada, and Mexico in the enlarged 48-team competition.
Previously, second-place Australia moved closer to their seventh appearance by thrashing Indonesia 5-1 in Sydney during the visitors' inaugural match under new coach Patrick Kluivert.
Kevin Diks of Indonesia failed to convert a penalty in the eighth minute, and ten minutes later Martin Boyle did not miss from the spot, putting Australia ahead.
Nishan Velupillay and Jackson Irvine found the net before halftime, with Lewis Miller extending their lead to 4-0 just after an hour. Ole Romeny managed to score for Indonesia, but Irvine secured his brace and the home team's fifth goal shortly after.
In the third round of Asian qualification, the top two teams from each of the three groups with six teams will secure their spots at the World Cup. The third and fourth place finishers in these groups progress to an additional phase where they vie for the remaining two berths.
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