Kamada, Kubo strike as Japan become first nation to qualify for World Cup

VIDEO SHOWS: HIGHLIGHTS OF JAPAN PLAYING BAHRAIN IN A SOCCER WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SHOTLIST

SHOWS: SAITAMA, JAPAN (MARCH 20, 2025) (AFC - See restrictions before use)

1. AERIAL PAN AS JAPAN AND BAHRAIN TEAMS WALK OUT

2. VARIOUS OF CROWD WITH JAPANESE FLAGS

3. JAPAN NATIONAL ANTHEM BEING PLAYED AND FAN SINGING WITH EMOTION

4. BAHRAIN TEAM HUDDLE

5. JAPAN TEAM HUDDLE

6. BAHRAIN’S FREE KICK FROM NEAR THE CORNER FLAG IS HEADED OUT TO ALI MADAN

7. MAHDI ABDULJABBAR HASSAN COULDN’T KEEP IT DOWN, EARLY MISSED OPPORTUNITY FOR BAHRAIN IN THE SEVENTH MINUTE

8. TAKEFUSA KUBO FAILS TO FIND THE FINISH IN THE EIGHTH MINUTE FOR JAPAN, COURTESY AMINE BENADI'S FANTASTIC BLOCK

9. KUBO LOOKS DISAPPOINTED

10. KUBO LINKS UP WELL WITH DAICHI KAMADA ON THE FIELD

11. KAMADA FINDS THE BACK OF THE NET, BREAKS THE DEADLOCK IN THE 65TH MINUTE TO PUT JAPAN 1-0 AHEAD

12. JAPAN PLAYERS CELEBRATING

13. REPLAYS OF THE GOAL

14. KUBO'S STRIKE FROM THE LEFT IS SAVED BY BAHRAIN GOALKEEPER EBRAHIM LUTFALLAH IN THE 85TH MINUTE

15. KUBO STRIKES AGAIN FROM THE LEFT TO MAKE IT 2-0 FOR JAPAN IN THE 87TH MINUTE

16. KUBO REMOVES HIS JERSEY, THROWS IT TO THE FANS AND CELEBRATING WITH TEAM

17. REPLAYS OF THE GOAL

18. JAPAN SUPPORT STAFF AND PLAYERS ON THE BENCH RUNNING IN TO CELEBRATE

19. KUBO SITTING DOWN

20. VARIOUS OF TEAM JAPAN CELEBRATING

STORY: Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday (March 20) as Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo struck in the second half to earn Hajime Moriyasu's side a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium and confirm their place at next year's finals.

Crystal Palace midfielder Kamada came off the bench to put Japan in front in the 66th minute and Kubo added the second three minutes from time to keep the Samurai Blue in pole position in Group C of Asia's preliminaries.

The win guarantees Japanese a top two finish in the standings and sees them qualify for an eighth consecutive World Cup finals.

The first two in each of Asia's three qualifying groups are certain to progress to the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico next year, with the third- and fourth-placed teams advancing to a further round of play-offs.

After an underwhelming first half, Moriyasu introduced Kamada in the 63rd minute and, within three minutes, he had put his side in front.

The 28-year-old finished off a fine move that started with defender Hiroki Ito finding Ayase Ueda in the centre circle, and his pass released Kubo to set up Kamada to score.

Kubo had been Japan's most potent threat and it was fitting that the Real Sociedad playmaker added the second, beating goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfallah at his near post to put the outcome beyond doubt.

The result means Japan continue to lead Group C by nine points from second-placed Australia.

(Production: Bhagya Ayyavoo)