First team qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: The 48-team lineup starts to take shape

With the March FIFA international break underway, Japan has become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their 2-0 victory over Bahrain, secured by goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo, secured qualification. This is Japan’s eighth consecutive World Cup appearance, highlighting their consistent presence on the global stage. The hosts (U.S., Canada, Mexico) have also already qualified.

Remarkably, Japan fielded an entirely European-based starting eleven: Zion Suzuki (Parma), Ayumu Seko (Grasshoppers), Ko Itakura (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ritsu Doan (Freiburg), Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad), Takumi Minamino (Monaco), and Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord).

The team’s reliance on European-based players underscores the strength of Japanese soccer in Europe and the global talent pool available to the Japanese national team. The team’s success also highlights the growing popularity of Japanese soccer and its ability to attract talented players from all over the world.

Other teams in contention for World Cup qualification

While Japan has secured its place, several other teams are vying for qualification. Argentina needs to win its upcoming matches against Uruguay and Brazil and await other results to clinch a spot.

In Oceania, New Caledonia, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Fiji are competing in the semifinals and final for a single qualifying spot. In Asia, South Korea and Iran still have a chance to qualify for the World Cup. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the final qualifiers.

Japan’s early qualification sets the stage for an exciting 2026 World Cup. The tournament is expected to attract a large global audience and will offer the teams an opportunity to showcase their talents. The race for qualification remains intense, with many teams still competing for their spot in this prestigious competition. The competition is expected to be very intense, and the anticipation for this upcoming tournament will continue to grow.