{"id":312981,"date":"2025-03-20T17:27:46","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T17:27:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2025\/03\/20\/japan-becomes-first-country-to-qualify-for-2026-world-cup\/"},"modified":"2025-03-20T17:27:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T17:27:46","slug":"japan-becomes-first-country-to-qualify-for-2026-world-cup","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/2025\/03\/20\/japan-becomes-first-country-to-qualify-for-2026-world-cup\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan becomes first country to qualify for 2026 World Cup"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"Japan Japan players celebrating a win<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Japan have become the first team to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 2-0 victory over Bahrain on Thursday, March 20, 2025.<\/p>\n

The Asian giants secured the win on matchday seven of the Asian World Cup qualifiers, extending their lead at the top of Group C.<\/p>\n

Goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo sealed qualification for the Blue Samurai, as they booked their place in the tournament with three matches to spare.<\/p>\n

They lead the table with 19 points after seven games, winning six and drawing one, with zero losses.<\/p>\n

Their unbeaten streak has secured them early qualification, making them the first country aside from host nations USA, Mexico, and Canada to qualify for the prestigious intercontinental tournament.<\/p>\n

The 2026 World Cup will introduce a new expanded format, featuring 48 teams for the first time in history.<\/p>\n

The teams will be divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advancing to the round of 32.<\/p>\n

EE\/MA<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, watch the latest edition of Sports Debate as some Ghanaians predict a win for Black Stars against Chad<\/b><\/p>\n